Atiku Abubakar Condemns Presidency's Attack on Bishops

Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria, condemned the presidency's criticism of the Catholic Church and John Cardinal Onaiyekan, labeling it an attack on one of Nigeria's most respected moral institutions. He described the presidency's response to the cleric's comments as "arrogant, disrespectful and unbecoming of a democratic government." In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku demanded an immediate and unreserved apology to Cardinal Onaiyekan and the Catholic faithful.

He accused the presidency of opting for political attacks instead of addressing the concerns raised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria regarding the nation's state. Atiku praised the Catholic Church for its enduring moral voice and urged other religious leaders to emulate the bishops' courage in speaking truth to power.

He defended Cardinal Onaiyekan's decision to grant an interview post-meeting, asserting it was a responsible act to clarify the narrative following the presidency's attempts to control public discourse.