Presidential spokesman Temitope Ajayi has criticised Cardinal John Onaiyekan over his public comments regarding a recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, arguing that the cleric acted improperly by disclosing details of the private engagement.
Ajayi expressed his views in an article titled “Cardinal Onaiyekan’s Abuse of Clerical Privilege,” where he accused the former Archbishop of Abuja of failing to observe the discretion expected after a confidential meeting with the nation’s President.
According to him, the bishops requested the meeting to present their concerns about Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, insecurity, unemployment and other national challenges.
He said President Tinubu welcomed the delegation, listened attentively to every issue raised and responded respectfully throughout the engagement.
Ajayi argued that once the meeting concluded, participants should have respected its confidential nature instead of engaging in public commentary.
He maintained that Cardinal Onaiyekan’s television interview created an impression that the President ignored the bishops’ concerns, an assertion he described as inaccurate.
The presidential aide explained that Tinubu addressed each matter individually, including the request for the return of mission schools.
According to Ajayi, the President informed the bishops that ownership of schools remains the responsibility of state governments and recalled that he approved the return of mission schools during his tenure as Lagos State governor.
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Ajayi also defended the administration’s economic reforms, saying President Tinubu inherited severe fiscal problems that required difficult policy decisions.
He noted that increased revenue allocations have enabled many state governments to improve salary and pension payments.
While acknowledging that Nigerians still face hardship, Ajayi argued that the reforms have begun producing measurable benefits that should not be overlooked.
On security, he said the President acknowledged ongoing threats but highlighted military successes against criminal groups across several parts of the country.
Ajayi stressed that Tinubu receives detailed intelligence briefings every day and therefore possesses a more comprehensive understanding of national security than members of the public.
He further argued that the President constantly monitors developments through intelligence agencies, newspapers, television programmes and direct reports from government institutions.
Ajayi therefore rejected suggestions that the Catholic bishops alone understand the country’s realities better than the Presidency.
While acknowledging the influence of the Catholic Church, he insisted that no organisation can claim exclusive ownership of Nigeria’s national conscience.
According to him, public office and religious leadership both require restraint, especially when discussing private conversations involving the nation’s leader.
He concluded by urging all participants in sensitive engagements to preserve mutual trust by respecting confidentiality after such meetings.