I’m 82, not afraid of anybody, says Onaiyekan

Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the 82-year-old former Archbishop of Abuja, dismissed President Bola Tinubu's criticism of his public account of a meeting with Catholic bishops. The cardinal, who appeared on television to share his perspective, insisted he was not deterred by his age or the government's response. Onaiyekan stated he aimed to present the truth about the meeting, not to win favor from any party.

He made this statement in a video shared on Symfoni TV, following a meeting between a delegation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and President Tinubu on July 28. The delegation included Onaiyekan, Archbishop Matthew Man Oso Ndagoso, Cardinal Peter Okpaleke, Bishop Matthew Kukah, and other senior clerics. During the meeting, the bishops discussed various national issues such as economic hardship, insecurity, democracy, and preparations for the 2027 elections.

They also addressed religious freedom and the return of mission schools. Three days after the meeting, Onaiyekan appeared on Arise News and recounted the bishops' discussions with the President, expressing their concerns about the state of the nation. This led to a response from the Presidency, with a senior special assistant criticizing the public disclosure of the meeting's details, deeming it inappropriate as it was a private interaction.

In the video, Onaiyekan clarified that he was not seeking approval from any party, but rather to share the truth. He dismissed the notion that criticism could shame, intimidate, or silence him, emphasizing his advanced age and lack of fear. "I am 82 years old; nobody can embarrass me. And I am not afraid of anybody," he declared.

Onaiyekan also cautioned Nigerians against underestimating the restrictions on public criticism, comparing Nigeria's situation to other African countries where such discussions are less tolerated. He sought to clarify that his televised comments were representative of the collective views of the participating bishops, who had prepared a joint statement containing the issues raised during the interview.

The cardinal reiterated that the bishops retained the right to express their concerns within their respective dioceses, noting that several other religious leaders had also voiced their concerns about Nigeria's current situation.