“I Am Not Afraid of Anyone” — Cardinal Onaiyekan Fires Back at Presidency

August 20, 2026 — Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has pushed back strongly against criticism from the Presidency following his recent comments about the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The 82-year-old cleric said he was neither embarrassed nor intimidated by the reaction to his public comments, insisting that he appeared on television to tell the truth rather than please the government or any individual.

‘I Am Not Afraid of Anybody’

Speaking in a video shared by SYMFONI TV, Onaiyekan rejected suggestions that criticism from government officials could intimidate him.

He said his age and experience meant he was not worried about possible consequences for expressing his views publicly.

“I didn’t go to Arise to please government, or to just please people, but to tell the truth. That’s all I stand for.”

He added that he could not be embarrassed or frightened by the criticism, declaring that “I’m not afraid of anybody.”

Onaiyekan Says He Spoke for Catholic Bishops

The controversy followed a July 28 meeting between President Tinubu and a delegation from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the State House in Abuja.

Onaiyekan explained that his subsequent television comments were not simply his personal opinion. He said he was communicating concerns collectively raised by the Catholic bishops during their engagement with the President.

According to the Cardinal, the bishops had drafted a statement reflecting their position before he appeared on television.

Poverty and Suffering Remain Major Concerns

Onaiyekan also drew attention to the economic difficulties facing Nigerians.

He argued that religious leaders have a responsibility to speak about issues affecting ordinary citizens, including poverty, suffering and insecurity.

The Cardinal has previously criticised the government's handling of insecurity, arguing that the rescue of kidnapped Nigerians should not lead authorities to conclude that the country's kidnapping crisis has been solved.

His latest comments therefore fit into a broader pattern of public calls for stronger government action on Nigeria's social and security challenges.

‘We Are Still Lucky That We Can Talk’

Onaiyekan also warned Nigerians against taking freedom of expression for granted.

He noted that religious leaders in some African countries cannot openly criticise governments in the way Nigerian clerics sometimes can.

The Cardinal said Nigerians should therefore value the ability to publicly question those in power.

His comments have renewed discussion about the role of religious leaders in Nigeria's democracy and whether prominent clerics should speak more openly about government policies.

Presidency Criticism Sparks Debate

The disagreement began after Onaiyekan's account of the bishops' meeting attracted criticism from government representatives.

The Presidency had questioned his decision to publicly discuss aspects of what it regarded as a private engagement.

However, President Tinubu's media aide, Temitope Ajayi, has since attempted to cool tensions, saying the episode should be considered closed. Ajayi described Onaiyekan as a respected cleric and statesman and said his response was not intended to disrespect him.

Political Figures Defend the Cardinal

The Cardinal has also received support from some political figures.

Former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, for example, said Onaiyekan was not supporting any particular political party or candidate but was concerned about poverty, hardship and corruption in Nigeria.

The controversy has consequently developed beyond a disagreement between one cleric and government officials into a wider debate about religion, politics, free speech and accountability.

Final Thoughts

Cardinal Onaiyekan's latest comments demonstrate that he has no intention of retreating from his position simply because his remarks have attracted criticism.

His central message is that religious leaders should be able to speak about national problems without being expected to support or oppose a particular political party.

For many Nigerians, the episode also raises a broader question: Should influential religious leaders remain silent when they believe government policies are failing citizens, or should they speak openly regardless of political consequences?

For Onaiyekan, his answer appears clear: he intends to speak what he believes is the truth — and he says he is not afraid of anyone.