By Henry Umoru
ABUJA — Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised the Federal Government’s response to recent comments by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), urging President Bola Tinubu to view the bishops as trusted voices offering constructive feedback rather than political opponents.
Obi said religious leaders play an important role in reflecting the concerns of ordinary Nigerians and should not be attacked for expressing their views on national issues.
In a statement issued by his media office and signed by spokesman Idris Zekeri, Obi said the Catholic Church has consistently served as a moral voice in the country by commending governments where necessary and speaking out on issues affecting justice and the public good.
He noted that other religious organisations, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), have also raised concerns over the country’s economic and security challenges.
