Politics
Cardinal Onaiyekan not impartial, he took sides in 2023 — Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has questioned the neutrality of Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, insisting that the cleric was not impartial during the 2023 general election.
Wike made the remarks during his media parley on Tuesday while reacting to the controversy that followed Onaiyekan’s comments after a recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
Following the meeting, the cardinal said in an interview that people around President Tinubu were presenting a “rosy picture” of the country to him and suggested that the President was focused on securing victory in the 2027 presidential election.
The Presidency subsequently faulted Onaiyekan for disclosing details of the closed-door meeting, describing the action as an abuse of privilege.
Responding to the development, Wike argued that public comments from religious leaders should reflect balance, warning that persistent criticism without acknowledging government achievements could be viewed as politically motivated.
“If a religious leader is perceived or seen to be taking a side, which is very clear, it is very difficult for people to begin to see those comments as being helpful,” he said.
“I am aware of the position of Cardinal Onaiyekan; all of us know, it’s not hidden, whom he supports; everybody knows that.”
The FCT minister said while it was appropriate to criticise government where necessary, leaders should also recognise areas where progress had been made.
“It’s not every time you say things are bad; nobody has heard you say government has done this well,” Wike said.
“The point I am trying to make is that, as a leader, commend government when government has done well in certain areas; criticise government and say, look, you have done this well, but you should improve in these other areas.”
He added that if public interventions from a respected figure were consistently negative, the government would naturally conclude that the criticism stemmed from political opposition rather than objectivity.
When reminded that the bishops’ position was not partisan, Wike disagreed, insisting that religious leaders openly aligned with candidates during the last presidential election.
“Don’t tell me they’re not partisan. You know what happened in the 2023 election. People took sides, religious 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 to where. Who did they support in 2023? It was very obvious,” he added.
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The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State has rejected allegations made by Governor Ademola Adeleke that he and members of the Accord are facing political persecution ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The Osun APC described the claims as unfounded, but Governor Adeleke has insisted that violence and intimidation are targeted at his supporters.
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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed confidence that the Accord Party will emerge victorious in the August 15 governorship election, saying the people of the state have embraced his administration’s style of governance and are ready to sustain it.
Adeleke made the remarks in a statement posted on his official social media page on Monday while appreciating residents for what he described as their overwhelming support for his campaign.
According to the governor, the continued backing from the people of Osun reflects their confidence in his administration, adding that he does not take the trust reposed in him for granted.
“I appreciate the overwhelming love and support the people of Osun State continue to show our campaign. I do not take your trust for granted,” Adeleke said.
The governor criticised previous administrations, alleging that they used poverty as a political tool instead of implementing policies that improved the welfare of the people.
“For too long, our people endured leaders who weaponised poverty instead of empowering the people. Today, Osun is witnessing the difference that purposeful, people-centred governance can make,” he stated.
Adeleke insisted that residents had already witnessed the impact of his administration and urged them to sustain what he described as the state’s progress.
“There is no turning back. Together, we will keep moving Osun forward. I’m confident ACCORD will win August 15,” he added.
The governor also urged his supporters to mobilise voters ahead of the election, saying, “Tell your neighbours: No shaking, Imole is coming back.”
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Federal Capital Territory, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has alleged that Archbishop Emeritus of Catholic Diocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan is obviously supporting one of the 2027 presidential candidates.
Wike, who spoke during a media chat with some selected journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, claimed that everyone knows who the clergy is supporting.
According to him, Onaiyekan and other religious leaders took sides in the 2023 general elections and are repeating the same for the forthcoming polls.
“I’m aware of Cardinal Onaiyekan’s position. It’s not hidden who he supports. Everybody knows that.
“In 2023, religious leaders took sides. It was very open”, the Minister said.
Wike who was reacting to the controversy surrounding Onaiyekan’s decision to reveal what transpired during a recent closed-door meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN alleged that the clergy took side on the current state of the nation.
“If a religious leader is perceived or seen to be taking a side and it’s very clear, it becomes difficult for people to see those comments as helpful or real”, he said.
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