Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has responded to criticism from the Presidency following his recent appearance on Arise TV, insisting that he has no reason to be intimidated by government officials or anyone else.

The 82-year-old cleric said he appeared on national television to speak the truth about the state of the country and not to please the government.

Speaking with journalists after an event, Onaiyekan maintained that his comments reflected the collective position of Catholic bishops in Nigeria on the economic hardship and governance challenges facing the country.

“I didn’t go to Arise TV to please government or to just please people, but to tell the truth. That’s all I stand for.”

The Cardinal said he was not embarrassed by the criticism that followed his appearance, stressing that his age and experience had made him less concerned about intimidation.

“I cannot be embarrassed. I’m 82 years old. Nobody can embarrass me. And I’m not afraid of anybody. At this stage, are they going to arrest me and carry me to where?”

‘Other people have spoken on my behalf’

Onaiyekan said he did not consider it necessary to engage in a prolonged response to the criticism from government representatives and social media commentators.

According to him, members of the public had already come forward to defend the position he expressed during the interview.

“I don’t have to [feel embarrassed], because there were other voices now on the social media. So I didn’t even have to reply to anything. Other people have spoken on my behalf.”

The cleric also reflected on freedom of expression in Nigeria, saying citizens should not take the ability to openly criticise the government for granted.

He noted that there are countries across Africa where religious leaders would be unable to publicly express similar views without facing more severe consequences.

“We are still lucky in this Nigeria, we can still talk. We shouldn’t take that for granted.”

Onaiyekan added that the fact that Nigerians can openly criticise those in power without being taken to an unknown detention facility indicates that the country still retains some space for free expression.

“There are many countries in Africa where no bishop dares to talk like we do here. That we can still talk, and all they do is to insult you. They don’t carry you and lock you up in an unknown dungeon. That means we are not doing badly.”

‘I spoke on behalf of my fellow bishops’

The Cardinal further clarified that his comments on Arise TV were not simply his personal opinion.

He explained that the issues he raised were contained in a joint statement prepared by the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria.

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“Mind you, I didn’t talk on my own now. I spoke on behalf of my fellow bishops.”

According to him, the bishops jointly drafted a statement addressing the economic and social conditions in Nigeria, and he simply echoed the position contained in the document during his television appearance.

He added that Catholic bishops across the country were free to express the same concerns in their respective dioceses.

‘We are all in the same boat’

Onaiyekan also said concerns about poverty and hardship in Nigeria were not limited to Catholic leaders.

He noted that religious leaders from other Christian denominations and the Muslim community had also expressed concerns about the economic situation and its effect on ordinary Nigerians.

“When it comes to what is happening to Nigeria, the poverty, the suffering, we are all in the same boat now.”

The Cardinal’s comments come amid ongoing debate over the Federal Government’s economic reforms, inflation and the rising cost of living.

Religious organisations, including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, have continued to call for measures aimed at reducing the impact of economic hardship on vulnerable Nigerians.

The Presidency’s reaction to Onaiyekan’s earlier television appearance has also generated debate across social media, with civil society groups, political commentators and members of the public weighing in on the disagreement.

For Onaiyekan, however, the criticism has not deterred him from speaking about issues affecting Nigerians, as he insists that his primary responsibility is to speak truthfully about the conditions facing the country.