Wike Backs Tinubu, Says Only Bold Leaders Can Rescue Nigeria

…Dismisses Onaiyekan’s Criticism as Catholic Laity Rallies Behind Cardinal

By Our Correspondent

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday mounted a robust defence of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, declaring that the President is the only Nigerian leader with the political courage to confront the country’s deep-rooted economic challenges, even as he dismissed Cardinal John Onaiyekan’s recent criticism of the administration as politically motivated.

But the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria (CLCN) swiftly pushed back, insisting that the former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja spoke not out of partisanship but from a moral obligation to hold leaders accountable and speak for suffering Nigerians.

Addressing journalists during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, Wike praised Tinubu for taking difficult decisions that previous administrations had avoided, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, which he said has significantly improved the finances of state governments.

“Asiwaju is the only person we have now. He may not have solved every problem, but he has shown the courage to take decisions others avoided. He deserves credit for that,” Wike said.

According to him, Nigerians should not expect decades of economic decline to be reversed overnight.

“You cannot expect problems that accumulated over 15 years to be resolved in one year. Recovery is gradual, but it will happen,” he stated.

The former Rivers State governor argued that although subsidy removal initially imposed hardship on Nigerians, it has strengthened public finances by increasing federal allocations to states.

“The subsidy consumed over ₦3 trillion. Today, states receive more money, pensioners are being paid, and governors no longer have to queue before banks just to pay salaries,” he said.

Wike maintained that genuine leadership is measured by the willingness to make unpopular but necessary decisions.

“Everyone agreed the subsidy was a scam, but no previous president had the political will to remove it. President Tinubu took that responsibility. No decision is perfect, but leadership is about making tough choices,” he added.

The minister also weighed in on the controversy surrounding Cardinal John Onaiyekan’s remarks during last week’s meeting between President Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the Presidential Villa.

The respected cleric had reportedly warned that the Tinubu administration appeared determined to secure victory in the 2027 general election “by all means.”

Reacting, Wike accused the Cardinal of approaching national issues from a partisan standpoint, arguing that repeated criticism from individuals perceived to have taken political positions diminishes the credibility of their interventions.

“While I do not oppose comments from religious leaders and elder statesmen who criticise the government, when a particular section consistently voices such criticisms, the government must proceed with caution,” Wike said.

“If you are a religious leader and it is perceived that you are taking a side—as is very clear in the case of Cardinal John Onaiyekan—it becomes difficult for people to regard those comments as constructive. I am aware of Cardinal Onaiyekan’s position; it is not hidden.”

He added that criticism alone should not define anyone’s contribution to national development.

“You cannot make only criticism of an administration the centrepiece of your contribution to governance,” he said.

However, the Catholic Laity Council of Nigeria rejected Wike’s characterisation of the Cardinal’s intervention, insisting that Onaiyekan spoke purely out of patriotism and pastoral concern.

In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Ambrose Obioha, and Secretary-General, Francis Olayinka Ojo, the council described the Cardinal as “a man of peace, dialogue, and integrity” whose comments were intended to awaken the nation’s conscience rather than embarrass the government.

“We know Cardinal Onaiyekan to be a man of peace, dialogue, and integrity. His intervention was not to embarrass the government, but to call the nation to conscience,” the council said.

According to the Catholic body, disagreement between the Church and government over national issues should not be interpreted as hostility.

“A disagreement over facts, as the Presidency rightly noted, should not be read as arrogance. Neither should a pastoral reflection be read as a breach of trust.”

The council stressed that the Catholic Church has both a moral and constitutional responsibility to speak out on issues affecting the welfare of Nigerians.

“The Church has a duty, rooted in the Gospel and Catholic social teaching, to speak truth to power, defend the vulnerable, and hold leaders accountable,” it stated.

It further argued that discussions on matters relating to the economy, insecurity and justice cannot remain permanently behind closed doors because Nigerians have a right to know the direction of national leadership.

“Cardinal Onaiyekan did not reveal secrets. He shared the moral concerns of the Church and the response of government, which is in the public interest.”

The Laity Council urged both the Presidency and the Catholic Church to sustain constructive engagement in the interest of national unity, while expressing solidarity with Cardinal Onaiyekan and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.

“Nigeria needs moral voices now more than ever,” the council added.