Onaiyekan Critiques Tinubu's Economic Response

Cardinal John Onaiyekan has been vocal about governance issues in Nigeria. His recent comments regarding President Bola Tinubu's administration have elicited a strong reaction from the presidency.

On July 28, 2026, during a meeting at the State House in Abuja, the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by President Matthew Ndagoso, expressed concerns about the economic hardships faced by Nigerians and the insecurity in the country. They urged President Tinubu to alleviate the suffering of ordinary families and questioned the integrity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of upcoming elections.

In response, President Tinubu claimed the economy was performing well and attributed hunger to historical factors, stating he was not responsible for it. He also asserted that INEC was neutral and criticized political opponents.

Following this, Onaiyekan remarked on ARISE NEWS that the president's advisors were misrepresenting the country's situation. Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, countered Onaiyekan's statements, suggesting they were politically motivated.