Peter Obi urges Tinubu to heed bishops’ concerns

Peter Obi has urged President Bola Tinubu to take seriously the concerns raised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), arguing that the clerics should be regarded as trusted voices reflecting the realities confronting ordinary Nigerians rather than as political opponents.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, the media office criticised what it described as attempts by presidential aides to dismiss the bishops’ remarks on rising hardship, insecurity and the cost of living.

According to the statement, the disagreement between the Presidency and the Catholic bishops underscores the danger of insulating executive leadership from the realities experienced by citizens.

The media office argued that bishops, through their widespread presence in communities across the country, are uniquely positioned to understand the economic and social challenges facing Nigerians.

It maintained that, unlike political office holders who may present favourable reports to protect their positions, religious leaders receive firsthand accounts of hardship through their interactions with parishioners, community members and faith-based institutions.

The statement further warned that excessive reliance on advisers could create an echo chamber around the President, preventing him from receiving objective assessments of the country’s situation.

It identified prominent clerics, including Cardinal John Onaiyekan and Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso, as credible voices capable of providing independent feedback on the impact of government policies.

The media office also described religious leaders as important channels for expressing public concerns peacefully, noting that their interventions help bridge the gap between government and citizens during periods of economic and social difficulties.

It added that the CBCN’s observations were intended to strengthen governance rather than undermine the administration.

“The pastoral warnings presented by the CBCN are not designed to undermine the administration but to anchor policy in the lived experiences of everyday Nigerians,” the statement said.

The media office urged the President to see the bishops as trusted whistleblowers whose perspectives could help align government policies with the realities faced by Nigerians.