Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the 82-year-old Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, has rejected criticism of his recent television appearance.
In a video shared by SYMFONI TV on Wednesday, Onaiyekan responded to questions about the Presidency’s reaction to his account of a meeting between the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu.
“I didn’t go to National TV to please the government; I only went there to tell the truth,” he said. “I don’t have to respond to those attacking me on social media because other Nigerians have spoken on my behalf. I’m 82 years old, and I’m not afraid of anyone.”
Onaiyekan added that he could not be embarrassed by the criticism. “I cannot be embarrassed. I’m 82 years old; nobody can embarrass me. And I’m not afraid of anybody. Nobody, at this stage now, are they going to arrest me, carry me to where?”
He stressed that his comments reflected the collective position of the bishops who attended the engagement rather than a personal opinion. “I didn’t talk on my own now. I spoke on behalf of my fellow bishops. We drafted a statement which contained all that I said in the interview. So, all the bishops of Nigeria spoke that way. It was their voice I was echoing.”
The cardinal also noted that Nigerians should not take for granted the freedom to criticise those in power, pointing out that religious leaders in some other African countries lack the same latitude to speak openly..
