The Rivers State chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has criticised the Presidency over its reaction to comments made by Catholic bishops following their recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu on the state of the nation.
The criticism followed remarks by former Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, who disclosed that the bishops used the meeting to draw the President’s attention to Nigeria’s challenges, stating that the nation was “bleeding” and required urgent intervention.
Onaiyekan’s comments reportedly attracted criticism from the Presidency.
Reacting in a statement, Rivers State PFN Chairman, Pastor Minaini Dagogo-Jack, described the Presidency’s criticism of the cleric as unfortunate, arguing that it suggested a resistance to constructive advice aimed at improving the country.
Dagogo-Jack accused the Presidency of high-handedness and maintained that religious leaders have a moral responsibility to speak truth to those in authority, especially on issues affecting the welfare of Nigerians.
He urged the Federal Government to embrace sincere counsel from faith leaders rather than dismissing their concerns.
The meeting between President Tinubu and the Catholic bishops has continued to generate mixed reactions across the country. While the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, defended the Presidency’s position, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, backed the bishops, describing their intervention as appropriate and necessary.
