Former Minister of Transportation and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has defended John Onaiyekan over accusations that the cleric’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration was politically motivated.
Amaechi argued that the former Archbishop of Abuja was not supporting any political party or individual ahead of the 2027 elections, but was simply expressing concerns over the economic struggles facing Nigerians.
Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, Amaechi said Onaiyekan’s focus was the hardship, poverty, and corruption affecting citizens.
“He supports nobody. I see Cardinal Onaiyekan regularly; I worship in his private chapel. Cardinal Onaiyekan himself supports nobody.
”The only thing that pains him is the level of indiscretion and poverty in the country and corruption. He worries about that.”
The former minister rejected claims that the Cardinal’s comments were influenced by political interests, saying religious leaders have the responsibility to speak when they believe the people are suffering.
Amaechi also alleged that attempts were being made to intimidate Onaiyekan because of his criticism of government policies.
“I just think that they tried to intimidate him, because election is very far away, so they are trying to intimidate him the way they are trying to intimidate the population, ” he said.
The controversy followed a recent meeting between President Tinubu and a delegation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa.
After the meeting, Onaiyekan said the bishops told the President that Nigeria was “bleeding” due to economic difficulties affecting many citizens.
He also disclosed that concerns about the credibility of the 2027 general election were raised during the discussion.
The Cardinal’s remarks sparked reactions from government officials, with some presidential aides defending the administration’s economic policies and accusing him of presenting a different account of the private meeting.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, later questioned Onaiyekan’s neutrality, suggesting his comments reflected political bias.
However, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar backed the Cardinal, urging the government to address economic and security challenges rather than criticise those raising concerns about the country’s situation.
