Political commentator and Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has defended President Bola Tinubu amid the ongoing controversy involving the Presidency and Catholic bishops.
Omokri argued that Tinubu has demonstrated greater support for the Catholic Church than any Nigerian leader in power since independence.
The statement comes amid a growing public dispute over comments made by Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, following a meeting between Catholic bishops and President Tinubu.
The Presidency subsequently criticised aspects of the bishops’ conduct and response to the meeting, triggering reactions from political figures and Christian organisations.
Against that backdrop, Omokri took to social media to defend the President and highlight what he described as Tinubu’s positive relationship with the Catholic Church.
According to Omokri, the President has shown significant support for the Church and its activities and should therefore not be portrayed as being hostile to Catholic leaders.
His intervention provides a contrasting position to the criticism directed at the Presidency over its response to Onaiyekan.
The controversy has increasingly expanded beyond the original disagreement, with political figures and religious organisations weighing in on whether the government’s response to the Catholic bishops was appropriate.
Northern Christian group backs Catholic bishops
The development comes as the Northern Christian Association has separately defended the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria over its meeting with Tinubu.
The group criticised the Presidency’s media adviser, Daniel Bwala, accusing him of attempting to create division within the Christian community.
The association maintained that the bishops had spoken not only for Catholics but also about wider issues affecting Christians and Nigerians.
The competing reactions have created a wider debate about the relationship between the Tinubu administration and Christian leaders, as well as the place of religious voices in national affairs.
Political debate intensifies
Omokri’s comments have added another political dimension to the dispute.
While the political commentator has defended Tinubu’s relationship with the Catholic Church, critics of the administration continue to question the tone and substance of the Presidency’s response to Onaiyekan.
The controversy comes at a politically sensitive period, with parties and political actors already positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential election.