Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his aides to stop what he described as attacks on the Catholic Church and the Christian faith.
Amaechi made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, amid a growing public dispute between the Presidency and Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan.
Amaechi defends Catholic bishops
Amaechi said the Catholic bishops deserved respect and argued that criticism of Cardinal Onaiyekan by officials of the Presidency amounted to disrespect for the Christian faith.
He said he was speaking out because of what he regarded as repeated attacks against Christian leaders, insisting that his intervention was not motivated by politics.
The former governor also said he had respect for both Christians and Muslims and warned political leaders against statements that could deepen religious divisions in Nigeria.
‘Respect our bishops’
Amaechi described Catholic bishops as accomplished scholars who had undergone significant training before attaining their positions in the Church.
He argued that disagreement with religious leaders should not degenerate into what he described as insults against Christianity.
The ADC chieftain also questioned whether similar comments would have been directed at a leading Muslim cleric under comparable circumstances.
Dispute follows Onaiyekan’s comments
The controversy followed comments by Cardinal Onaiyekan concerning his engagement with President Tinubu and the concerns raised by Catholic bishops over economic hardship and insecurity in Nigeria.
Presidential aides subsequently challenged aspects of the Cardinal’s account, prompting criticism from some Christian figures and political actors.
Amaechi urged the Presidency to refrain from further attacks on the Catholic Church and stressed the need for respect for religious institutions.