Atiku Abubakar Demands Apology from Tinubu Over Bishops

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has called for President Bola Tinubu to apologize to Archbishop Emeritus John Onaiyekan and the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria. This demand follows a visit by Onaiyekan to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where Tinubu disagreed with the bishops' assessment of Nigeria's economy and security issues.

In a statement issued by Atiku's spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, he emphasized that the Presidency should not act as a secret cult that restricts free speech. He argued that in a constitutional democracy, individuals should not require permission from the Presidency to express their views.

Shaibu criticized the administration for attacking respected clerics and insisted that the government should welcome criticism as a means for improvement. He stated that the Presidency owes an immediate apology to the Catholic Church and highlighted the moral obligation of religious leaders to speak on issues affecting the welfare of Nigerians.