Peter Obi, 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has accused President Bola Tinubu of intolerance to criticism following the presidency’s attacks on Archbishop Emeritus, Catholic Diocese of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, who accused Mr Tinubu of desperation to win a re-election bid in 2027.

Mr Obi, in a statement on Wednesday, stated, “The painful reality is that Nigeria’s challenges continue to deepen. Each passing day reveals deeper signs of decline, especially when a government becomes increasingly intolerant of truth and hostile to those who speak about the suffering of the people.”

The presidency slammed Mr Onaiyekan’s criticism of the president and accused him of being more political than spiritual.

Mr Obi, who described the attacks as troubling, noted that the Catholic Church had never functioned as an opposition party in the country but maintained a principled voice on national issues and the nation’s conscience.

“Across military regimes and successive democratic administrations, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has maintained a principled voice on national issues and the nation’s conscience, commending governments when they deserved commendation and speaking the truth whenever national conscience demanded it.

“Against this background, the attacks on the CBCN, and especially on His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, are deeply troubling. Even in 1998, when Pope John Paul II visited Nigeria and told General Abacha some hard truths, including about the incarceration of Chief Moshood Abiola, nobody vilified him,” the politician added.

Mr Obi noted that Mr Onaiyekan also expressed what millions of Nigerians contend with daily, adding, “Insecurity has worsened, poverty is deepening, inflation is crippling families, businesses are struggling, and hope is fading.”

The NDC chieftain added, “The CBCN did not insult the president and can never do so, given the calibre of the people who make up the conference, some of the finest among Nigerians. It gave voice to the suffering of Nigerians.

“The proper response was to thoughtfully address the issues raised, not attack those who raised them. When respected figures like Cardinal Onaiyekan are vilified for speaking the truth, the message sent to citizens is that silence is safer than honesty. No democracy can flourish under such a culture.”

Mr Obi urged religious leaders to continue to speak truth to power amid suffering, adding only honest criticism would help Mr Tinubu “fully understand the pain of his people or find the clarity needed to correct what is wrong”.