The Presidency has criticised Cardinal John Onaiyekan’s television interview on the meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, describing it as inappropriate and a breach of the privilege attached to clerical office.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, stated this in a statement personally signed and posted on the X platform of the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday.
Ajayi said the bishops had requested an audience with President Tinubu, who granted their request and listened to their concerns on the nation’s economic, social and security challenges before responding to the issues raised.
He argued that the discussion should have remained private, adding that the bishops’ assessment of the country’s situation was a perspective that could be subjected to scrutiny and rebuttal.
According to him, President Tinubu responded to the concerns raised by the bishops with facts, including issues bordering on economic reforms, security and the return of mission schools.
