What the Tinubu government cannot disrespect doesn’t exist. That is the message we are getting.
The Catholic Bishops Conference are not politicians running for office. They are shepherds. They buried our dead, fed the hungry, opened schools and hospitals when government failed. When they came to Aso Rock, they came with the pain of the people, not with party cards.
Bishop Onaiyekan spoke that pain out loud, Nigerians are suffering. The President’s reply was denial. The Presidency’s follow-up was worse, “He spoke for Catholics, not Christians.” As if hunger is denominational. As if bandits check baptismal certificates.
We knew this is different from the kind of statements our President keeps receiving from praise-singers and political contractors. This was truth, not flattery. And truth in this government attracts insult, not reflection.
This is now a challenge to all Christians in the length and breadth of this country. Catholic, Pentecostal, Orthodox, Anglican denomination must not divide us here. When one pulpit is attacked for speaking, every pulpit is threatened.
Christian denominations must call on Mr. President to apologize to the Catholic Bishops Conference for the unguided statements from the Presidency. Not because bishops need apologies to survive, but because a nation needs leaders who can take correction.
Power without humility becomes tyranny. Faith without courage becomes chaplaincy to power.
Nigeria does not need a government that only listens to applause. It needs one that listens to its prophets.
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bcradle@ymail.com
