Obi Urges Tinubu to Accept Criticism Amid Attacks

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), criticized the attacks on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and its former president, Cardinal John Onaiyekan. In a statement on his Facebook page, Obi urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to embrace constructive criticism rather than dismiss concerns regarding Nigeria's socio-economic and security challenges.

He noted that the CBCN has maintained an independent stance on national issues and should not be seen as a political opposition. Obi highlighted that other religious organizations, including Jama’atu Nasril Islam, the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, the Christian Association of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, have also raised concerns about insecurity, inflation, and unemployment.

He argued that political leaders should welcome feedback from religious institutions, recalling his own experience as Anambra State governor. Obi described the criticism of the CBCN and Cardinal Onaiyekan as “deeply troubling” and drew historical comparisons to Pope John Paul II's visit to Nigeria in 1998.