Cardinal John Onaiyekan & Truth To Power In Nigeria, 1979 to 2025 – By John Okey Onoh, PhD

Cardinal John Onaiyekan & Truth To Power In Nigeria, 1979 to 2025 – By John Okey Onoh, PhD

The claim that it is new for religious leaders to criticize Tinubu collapses once you check Cardinal Onaiyekan’s record. From Shagari to Tinubu, through CBCN, he has spoken with one voice. To call it partisanship now is either ignorance or mischief.

1. Shagari 1979-1983
As Bishop of Ilorin from 1982, Onaiyekan joined CBCN in condemning 1983 election rigging, violence and Maitatsine. They said democracy dies when the people’s will is stolen.
Source: CBCN Pastoral Letters 1980-1983, Vanguard 14 Feb 2019.
To Tinubu defenders: where was your outrage then. Is rigging only bad when you are not in power.

2. Buhari Military 1983-1985
CBCN criticized Decree 2 detention without trial and Decree 4 that jailed journalists. They said fight corruption but follow due process.
Source: O.N. Anene, The Catholic Church and Human Rights 1960-1999, This Day 31 Dec 2018.
To Bwala: why was the Cardinal not unpatriotic then. Was due process only important in military era.

3. IBB 1985-1993
As Archbishop of Abuja, Onaiyekan helped CBCN reject the June 12 annulment. 1993 pastoral letter called it betrayal and demanded civil rule. They also faulted SAP for hurting the poor.
Source: CBCN Pastoral Letter Oct 1993, Premium Times 12 June 2018.
To apologists: why was it not treason to defend June 12 then, but it is treason to ask for electoral integrity now.

4. Shonekan 1993
CBCN, with Onaiyekan as Secretary, told the interim government to set an election timetable and stop force against protesters.
Source: Africa Confidential Vol 34 No 20, 1993.
To mockers: you were quiet when Church told an interim government to leave. Why is asking Tinubu to deliver now an attack.

5. Abacha 1993-1998
Onaiyekan condemned human rights abuses, Abiola’s detention and lack of transition. CBCN met the regime several times.
Source: HRW Nigeria The Abacha Years, CBCN Communiques 1994-1997.
To defenders: why did you not chastise him for demanding Abiola’s freedom. Is the constitution only sacred when it suits you.

6. Abdulsalami 1998-1999
CBCN pushed for free elections in 1999 and warned against military manipulation.
Source: TMG Report 1999, Guardian 2 March 1999.
To apologists: you did not call it destabilization then. Why is asking INEC to do better now a sin.

7. Obasanjo 1999-2007
As CBCN President and later Cardinal, he led the fight against Third Term. After it failed he said the Church had no apology for defending the constitution. He also faulted 2003 and 2007 polls, corruption and Niger Delta violence.
Source: CBCN Pastoral Letter March 2006, This Day 16 May 2006.
To Tinubu defenders: where was your press release then. Is constitutionalism only for your opponents.

8. Yar’Adua 2007-2010
CBCN welcomed his admission on 2007 flaws but pushed for Uwais Report and action on poverty and security.
Source: CBCN Communiques 2008-2009, Punch 11 Sept 2008.
To Bwala: you did not call him opposition then. Why is the same call to INEC now hatred.

9. Jonathan 2010-2015
Onaiyekan spoke on Boko Haram, Chibok and corruption. In 2014 he said security is government’s first duty. He commended the 2015 concession.
Source: CBCN Pastoral Letter April 2014, Reuters 15 April 2014.
To defenders: you did not call him Jonathan hater then. Why is speaking on hunger now treason.

10. Buhari 2015-2023
He criticized insecurity, herdsmen clashes and 2019 elections, and warned against nepotism. He also commended anti-corruption where due.
Source: CBCN Communiques 2016-2022, Daily Trust 22 Jan 2020.
To apologists: you did not call him PDP then. Why is he partisan now for talking economy.

11. Tinubu 2023-date
Since 2023 he has spoken on subsidy removal without cushion, rising poverty and credibility of 2023 elections. Same message as 1993, 2006, 2014: put the poor first, obey the law, let votes count.
Source: CBCN Pastoral Letter Aug 2023, Arise News 18 Sept 2023.

Conclusion
The record is public. Onaiyekan criticized Shagari on rigging, Buhari military on decrees, IBB on June 12, Abacha on Abiola, Obasanjo on third term, Jonathan on Chibok, Buhari on insecurity, and now Tinubu on the economy. He did not start today.

So to Daniel Bwala and co: why did you not condemn him over June 12. Why did you not attack him over Abiola. Why did you not call him unpatriotic over third term.
Because this is not about the Cardinal. It is about you. You have no answer to the issues, so you attack the messenger. That is not loyalty. That is historical amnesia.

John Okey Onoh PhD
johnonoh@gmail.com