I’m not afraid to tell Nigerian govt truth – Cardinal Onaiyekan

The Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, John Onaiyekan, has said he went on national television to tell President Bola Tinubu’s administration the truth.

Onaiyekan insisted that he’s not afraid of anybody because he can’t be arrested or embarrassed for telling the government the truth.

On July 28, 2026, Tinubu met with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, where they expressed concerns over the country’s economy, insecurity and political climate.

However, appearing on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Onaiyekan said Tinubu rejected the bishops’ assessment, insisting that his administration was on the right track.

However, addressing journalists in Abuja, Onaiyekan said: “I didn’t have to reply to anything; other people have spoken on my behalf.

“I didn’t go to national television to please the government; I only went there to tell the truth. I can’t be embarrassed because I’m 82 years old and I’m not afraid of anybody. At this age, who is going to arrest me or carry me to where?

“We are lucky in Nigeria that we can still talk; we shouldn’t take that for granted. There are many countries in Africa where no bishop dares to talk like we do here.

“That we can still talk and not be arrested and locked up means that we are not doing badly.

“I don’t have to respond to those attacking me on social media because other Nigerians have spoken on my behalf.”