The Northern Christian Association (NCA) has thrown its weight behind Catholic Bishops following their meeting with President Bola Tinubu, accusing Presidential aide Daniel Bwala of attempting to create division within the Christian community.
Chairman of the association, Rev. Joseph Hayab, in a statement on Sunday, said the bishops’ intervention was not limited to the interests of the Catholic Church but reflected concerns affecting Christians and Nigerians generally.
Hayab said the issues raised during the bishops’ engagement with the President were matters of national interest and deserved attention rather than political criticism.
“We should tell Bwala to know that Catholics are Christians and Nigerians. Our members are Catholics, Baptists, ECWA, Methodists, Anglicans, Pentecostals.
”We refuse to be divided by Bwala’s politics of division,” he said.
The NCA chairman said Cardinal John Onaiyekan and other bishops deserved respect for speaking on issues affecting the welfare of Nigerians, stressing that their intervention was guided by concern for the country.
He described as unfortunate any attempt to portray the bishops’ comments as a purely Catholic matter, saying the concerns raised affected the broader Nigerian society.
Hayab said it was “shameful” and a disservice to President Tinubu for any government spokesperson to disrespect Cardinal Onaiyekan, whom he described as a respected elder statesman and religious leader.
“An honest counsel has been given to Mr President for his own good and for a better Nigeria,” he added.
The NCA chairman also criticised what he described as a tendency by some government officials to dismiss genuine concerns through propaganda rather than addressing the issues raised.
“Any voice of greed, propaganda or disconnect by any appointee like Bwala should be seen as those destroying the country for selfish interest,” Hayab said.
He warned that continued failure to address the challenges facing Nigerians would affect everyone, regardless of political or religious affiliation.
Hayab reaffirmed the association’s confidence that the Catholic Bishops acted out of patriotism and goodwill, saying they remained committed to the welfare of President Tinubu and the nation.
He said the bishops’ counsel should be viewed as constructive criticism from people who desire peace, progress and a better Nigeria.
