Methodist Bishop to Onaiyekan: You Can Have Your Preferred Presidential Candidate, Don’t Run Down Others

Methodist Bishop and Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Stephen Adegbite, has urged Cardinal John Onaiyekan to support his preferred presidential candidate without disparaging other political contenders.

Adegbite made the remarks on Friday during an interview with TVC, while reacting to recent comments by Onaiyekan following the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria’s meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House.

The Catholic bishops met with Tinubu on July 28 to discuss concerns over insecurity and the economic situation in the country.

Speaking after the meeting, Onaiyekan, a former Archbishop of Abuja, accused some people around the President of presenting a “rosy picture” of the country and warned that the government appeared determined to win future elections “by all means.”

The comments sparked debate over the role of religious leaders in political affairs, with some government officials accusing the cleric of partisanship.

Reacting, Adegbite said Nigerians had the right to support whichever presidential candidate they preferred but should not undermine other candidates.

He recalled that Onaiyekan had questioned Tinubu’s emergence as President in 2023 until the Supreme Court delivered its verdict, saying such a position was within the cleric’s rights.

Adegbite, however, urged political supporters to focus on promoting the qualities and achievements of their preferred candidates.

“We have no problem with you having your own candidate. You can have your preferred candidate, but don’t run down other people’s candidates,” he said.

He added, “Sell your own candidate. Let people see what your candidate has done that justifies him becoming the president of Nigeria.”

Adegbite said supporters of Tinubu were equally entitled to campaign based on the achievements they attributed to his administration.

He maintained that the President should ultimately be judged by his record in office rather than criticism from political opponents.

“The work of Mr President will speak for him, and that is what people want,” he said.

The Methodist bishop also criticised Onaiyekan for publicly discussing the details and outcome of the bishops’ engagement with Tinubu.

According to him, meetings between religious leaders and the President should be treated as confidential engagements, particularly when they involve sensitive national issues.

“Their visit is very good, but for anybody to now take the visit of Mr President outside the villa and be making comments on it after retirement at 82, it is unacceptable,” Adegbite said.

He added that discussions arising from such engagements should remain confidential.