Nigeria becoming intolerant of criticism, Peter Obi says amid dispute over Catholic Bishops’ remarks
Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned what he described as sustained attacks on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), warning that Nigeria is becoming increasingly intolerant of truth and constructive criticism.
Obi made the remarks in a statement shared on his official social media platform while reacting to criticism directed at the Catholic Church following the bishops’ recent assessment of Nigeria’s economic and security situation.
The former governor maintained that the Catholic Church had never operated as an opposition political group, but had consistently served as a moral voice and conscience of the nation.
According to Obi, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria had commended governments when necessary and spoken out whenever the national interest demanded it.
He also noted that other major religious organisations, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), had similarly raised concerns over insecurity, poverty, inflation and unemployment.
Obi said religious leaders were often in direct contact with ordinary Nigerians and therefore witnessed the hardship confronting families and communities.
He argued that political leaders should welcome honest criticism and use it to improve governance rather than attack those who draw attention to national challenges.
“Good governance depends on truth. When governments punish truth-tellers and reward sycophants with appointments, honest advisers withdraw, sycophancy thrives, and leaders become disconnected from reality,” Obi said.
He described the recent criticism of the CBCN, particularly Cardinal John Onaiyekan, as troubling, arguing that the bishops merely gave voice to concerns affecting Nigerians across religious and ethnic lines.
Obi recalled the Catholic Church’s historical interventions in Nigeria’s political affairs, including its criticism of military and civilian administrations over the years.
He also referenced Pope John Paul II’s visit to Nigeria in 1998, during which the late pontiff confronted the military government of General Sani Abacha over issues including the detention of MKO Abiola.
According to Obi, political leaders should not interpret criticism from religious organisations as opposition, particularly when the issues raised concern insecurity, poverty, inflation, unemployment and other challenges affecting citizens regardless of their faith or ethnicity.
He questioned the decision by some government supporters and presidential aides to portray the bishops’ intervention as a religious matter.
“Are insecurity, poverty, inflation, unemployment, and hardship problems exclusive to a particular faith? Do these challenges recognise religious or tribal boundaries?” he asked.
The NDC presidential candidate also praised Cardinal Onaiyekan’s record of service, describing him as one of Africa’s respected churchmen with decades of contributions to peace, dialogue, scholarship and national unity.
He said personal attacks against the cleric weakened public discourse and demonstrated an unhealthy intolerance of criticism within Nigeria’s political space.
Obi further argued that religious leaders had a moral responsibility to speak out whenever citizens were suffering, warning that silence in the face of hardship would amount to a betrayal of that responsibility.
He urged those around President Bola Tinubu to provide the administration with honest assessments of the country’s situation rather than merely telling the President what he wanted to hear.
“The greatest service those around President Tinubu can render him is an honest appraisal of the situation. A leader who hears only praise will never fully understand the pain of his people or find the clarity needed to correct what is wrong,” Obi stated.
