Catholic Knights Urge Freedom for Religious Voices in Politics

The Knights of St. John International (KSJI) issued an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, advocating for the freedom of religious bodies to engage in national discourse. This call came after the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) met with President Tinubu on July 30, where they expressed concerns about rising insecurity, economic hardship, and the conduct of elections.

Cardinal John Onaiyekan, a member of the delegation, stated on Arise TV that the President disagreed with their assessment, claiming progress was being made. In response, presidential spokespersons Temitope Ajayi and Daniel Bwala criticized Onaiyekan for publicly sharing his interpretation of the private meeting.

The KSJI, represented by Chairman Sir Peter Osamgbi, condemned the political implications attributed to the bishops' visit, asserting that the CBCN has historically played a vital role in Nigeria's public life. They urged the Presidency to differentiate between legitimate dialogue and partisan motives.