Presidency Accuses Cardinal Onaiyekan of Breaching Confidentiality After Meeting With Tinubu

The Presidency has criticised Cardinal John Onaiyekan over comments he made following a private meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), describing the cleric’s public account of the discussions as an “abuse of clerical privilege.”

In a statement issued on Saturday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said it was inappropriate for one of the participants in what he described as a private engagement to publicly narrate his version of the conversation shortly after the meeting.

According to Ajayi, President Tinubu granted the bishops’ request for an audience, listened patiently to their concerns about the country’s economic, social and security challenges, and responded to each issue they raised.

The presidential aide argued that while the bishops acknowledged the impact of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), they largely dismissed what he described as other achievements of the Tinubu administration.

He said the President challenged several of the bishops’ assessments, maintaining that although Nigeria still faces significant economic and security challenges, the country has made measurable progress since his administration assumed office.

Ajayi stated that Tinubu told the bishops his government had moved Nigeria “out of a dark tunnel” and was now focused on ensuring that more citizens benefit from ongoing economic reforms.

Responding to concerns reportedly raised by the bishops over the return of mission schools to their original owners, the Presidency said Tinubu reminded the delegation that education is largely a state responsibility under Nigeria’s Constitution.

According to the statement, the President pointed to his record as former governor of Lagos State, where mission schools were returned to their original proprietors.

Ajayi also defended Tinubu’s assessment of the country’s security situation, rejecting suggestions that the President was disconnected from realities on the ground.

He argued that as Commander-in-Chief, Tinubu receives classified operational and intelligence briefings unavailable to the general public, giving him a broader understanding of security developments across the country.

While acknowledging that insecurity remains a challenge, the Presidency insisted that the Armed Forces and security agencies have recorded significant gains against criminal groups in various parts of Nigeria.

The statement further dismissed suggestions that the President relies solely on public critics or religious leaders for information about conditions in the country.

According to Ajayi, Tinubu regularly reads newspapers, monitors television discussions, receives daily intelligence reports and consults widely with trusted associates from different sectors of society.

He argued that while the Catholic bishops are an important national voice, they do not have exclusive authority to define Nigeria’s realities or public opinion.

The Presidency maintained that the meeting between Tinubu and the bishops reflected healthy democratic engagement, with both sides freely expressing their views.

However, Ajayi said the confidentiality of the discussions should have been respected, arguing that public commentary by one of the participants undermined the dignity of the engagement.

He urged public office holders and religious leaders alike to exercise restraint when dealing with sensitive matters of state, adding that influence should be exercised with wisdom and discretion rather than through public disputes.

The Presidency’s response follows a recent interview in which Cardinal John Onaiyekan spoke about the meeting between the Catholic bishops and President Tinubu, including his assessment of the President’s responses to concerns over Nigeria’s economy, insecurity and governance.

The exchange highlights continuing debate over the country’s economic reforms and security situation, with religious leaders, civil society groups and government officials offering differing assessments of the Tinubu administration’s performance.