Wike Criticises Cardinal Onaiyekan, Says Religious Leaders Should Avoid Partisan Politics

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, over recent remarks on Nigeria’s political climate, arguing that religious leaders should avoid partisanship in public affairs.

Wike’s comments follow an interview in which Cardinal Onaiyekan defended the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN)’s engagement with President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the bishops had a responsibility to speak truthfully about the nation’s economic challenges, insecurity and governance without seeking political office. 

Reacting to the development, the FCT minister said clerics should be careful not to give the impression of taking political sides, stressing that religious leaders are most effective when they maintain neutrality and provide moral guidance to all, regardless of political affiliation. 

According to Wike, once faith leaders become openly aligned with political interests, they risk diminishing their moral authority and alienating members of their congregations who hold differing political views. 

The exchange comes days after Cardinal Onaiyekan revealed that President Tinubu disagreed with the concerns raised by Catholic bishops during their meeting at the Presidential Villa. The cardinal maintained that the bishops’ message reflected the realities facing many Nigerians and was presented out of a sense of pastoral responsibility rather than political ambition. 

Onaiyekan also emphasised that the Church has a duty to speak on issues affecting the welfare of citizens, noting that proclaiming the Gospel includes addressing justice, peace and the wellbeing of society. He insisted that the bishops were not seeking political office but fulfilling their prophetic responsibility to speak truthfully. 

The differing views have sparked fresh conversations about the role of Christian leaders in national discourse. While many church leaders maintain that biblical values compel them to address issues of justice, governance and the common good, others argue that such interventions should be carefully communicated to avoid perceptions of political partisanship.

For Christians, Scripture presents a balance between respecting governing authorities and courageously speaking truth where justice, righteousness and the welfare of people are concerned (Romans 13:1–7; Proverbs 31:8–9; Acts 5:29). As public conversations continue, the challenge remains for both political and religious leaders to pursue truth, wisdom and the peace of the nation.