By Imoleayo Oyedeyi

Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says the recent criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s government by John Onaiyekan, cardinal and former archbishop of Abuja, was laced with partisanship.

Wike spoke on Tuesday, during his monthly media chat with select journalists in Abuja, where he dwelt on a range of national and local issues.

BACKGROUND

Last Tuesday, the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by Matthew Ndagoso, paid a courtesy visit to Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.

During the meeting, Ndagoso presented the CBCN’s message to the president, raising concerns about the state of the nation and the economic hardship afflicting Nigerians.

Tinubu, however, defended his administration’s performance, saying the economy is stabilising and that the era of prolonged strikes by university lecturers has ended.

Speaking on ‘Prime Time’, a programme on Arise Television, hours after the meeting, Onaiyekan said Tinubu was unhappy and disagreed with the message delivered by the bishops.

Onaiyekan said the clerics told the president that the country is bleeding and that the economy is dealing severe blows on the citizenry.

The remarks sparked criticism from the president’s media handlers, with Daniel Bwala, one of his aides, accusing the cardinal of being more political than spiritual.

Bwala, who argued that Onaiyekan’s remarks did not represent the views of all Christians, alleged that the Catholic Church is “rooting for” Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 election.

‘HIS POSITION ISN’T HIDDEN’

During the televised chat, Wike said Onaiyekan’s criticisms should be viewed through partisan lenses.

“I am aware of the position of Cardinal Onaiyekan. All of us know… it’s not hidden. Who he supports? Everybody knows that,” the minister said.

The ex-governor of Rivers insisted that the cardinal cannot claim impartiality in his criticism of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, given his antecedents.

“Please don’t tell me he is not partisan, don’t tell me that. You know what happened during the 2023 election? People took sides, leaders took sides. It was very open,” he said.

“I would be stupid to sit here for anybody to tell me this person is impartial. No, we know ourselves in this country. We know who belongs where.”

‘I’M NOT AGAINST ANTI-GOVERNMENT CRITICISM’

Wike urged religious leaders to avoid partisanship, arguing that persistent negative comments could give the impression that one is opposed to the government for the fun of it.

He, however, said he is not against speaking truth to power, but that such comments should be driven by fairness and balance.

“I have always said this, particularly to religious leaders and our elders, I’m not against comments about the government,” he added.

“Because if comments are not made about the government, the government would not know areas where they should concentrate or focus. Therefore, the government is available to receive comments.

“But when comments are made by a particular section consistently, the government becomes, or multiple governments, even individuals, become very careful.

“If you are a religious leader and it is perceived or seen that you are taking sides, it becomes difficult for people to begin to see those comments as helpful or real.”

The minister added that leaders should acknowledge areas where government has performed well while critiquing areas that require improvement.

“You don’t every time say, things are bad, things are bad. Nobody has heard you say, one day, government has done this well,” he said.

“As a leader, commend government when government has done well on some areas. Criticise government. Now look, yes, you have done this well, this well, this well, this well, but we think they should look into these other areas.

“But if their comments are every time nothing positive, then government would worry about you. Government would begin to think that you are merely criticising because you are opposed to the government.”

Source: TheCable