Religious bodies must be free to speak on national issues – Catholic knights

The Knights of St. John International & Ladies Auxiliary (KSJl) Nigeria has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other leaders in the nation to respect the viewpoints of credible, impartial stakeholders while working towards nation-building. This call came in response to the controversy surrounding the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria’s (CBCN) recent meeting with Tinubu in Abuja.

The bishops had attended the meeting on July 30 to express their worries regarding growing insecurity, economic hardship, democracy, and electoral procedures. Cardinal John Onaiyekan, who was part of the delegation, stated on Arise TV that the President disagreed with their assessment, claiming that his administration was making progress.

However, two presidential spokesmen, Temitope Ajayi and Daniel Bwala, disagreed with Cardinal Onaiyekan's interpretation of the meeting, criticizing his public comments and the way in which the meeting was handled. This disagreement generated criticism, with many people supporting Onaiyekan and other bishops for their courage in speaking out against the government.

In an open letter signed by Sir Peter Osamgbi, the Chairman of KSJl's Strategic Communication Committee, the Knights expressed their disapproval of the perceived political and partisan tone attached to the CBCN's visit and the resulting controversy. The Knights emphasized that the CBCN has long held a significant position in Nigeria's public life as a moral and religious institution, representing the collective pastoral leadership of the Catholic Church in Nigeria.

Over the years, the Bishops have engaged with government leaders on issues relating to peace, security, justice, good governance, religious harmony, and the well-being of Nigerians. The Knights urged the Presidency to differentiate between genuine discourse and selfish intentions and avoid attributing partisan political motives to these interactions.