The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has said the Federal Government will continue to build stronger partnerships with Catholic Bishops and other stakeholders in a bid to address Nigeria’s challenges.
In a statement on Wednesday, Yomi Odunuga, the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Akume, quoted the SGF as saying that the administration of President Bola Tinubu would continue to deepen consultations with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), other faith-based organisations and relevant stakeholders on issues affecting the country.
“Many of the challenges confronting our nation require partnership. Faith communities, traditional institutions, civil society, the private sector and citizens all have indispensable roles to play in promoting peace, strengthening social cohesion and advancing national development. Constructive engagement between the government and these institutions is therefore not only welcome but essential,” Akume said.
The SGF said: “The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation will continue consultations with the leadership of the Catholic Bishops Conference, other faith-based organisations and relevant stakeholders on the issues raised during the meeting and on areas where greater collaboration can advance the national interest.”
Akume maintained that the government remains open to honest counsel and would continue to govern with openness, accountability and evidence-based policies.
He also assured that the Tinubu administration is neither seeking nor in support of a one-party state, just as it remains deeply respectful of the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in the spirit of true democracy.
Akume said the government was also sustaining dialogue and conflict prevention through the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), describing collaboration with religious institutions as indispensable to advancing the national interest.
According to him, the Federal Government had taken note of public reactions following the meeting between President Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops, using the opportunity to reaffirm its profound respect for the Catholic Church and its enduring contributions to Nigeria’s development through education, healthcare, humanitarian services, peacebuilding and moral guidance.
The SGF said government recognised the Church as one of Nigeria’s most important development partners and acknowledged that, like all faith communities, it had both the right and responsibility to speak on issues affecting the welfare of citizens and the country’s future.
He explained that discussions between the President and the Bishops were candid, respectful and constructive, covering concerns relating to security, economic hardship, public services, education, electoral credibility, political pluralism and religious freedom.
According to him, both parties also acknowledged progress made under the administration, including the student loan programme and recent successes by security agencies in securing the release of abducted schoolchildren and teachers.
Akume noted that while there were areas of agreement and differences in assessment, such differences should not be interpreted as a breakdown in mutual respect or detract from the shared commitment to Nigeria’s peace, unity and progress.
His comment came in the wake of the reactions following the visit of the Catholic Bishops to President Tinubu. During the visit, the clerics had called for a credible election in 2027.
But Tinubu told them that INEC is neutral despite claims of impartiality by members of the opposition.
Following the meeting, the former Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, said the bishops told Tinubu that Nigeria was “bleeding” and that many citizens were grappling with severe economic hardship.
He also claimed the former Lagos governor rejected that assessment, insisting the economy was performing well. The comment triggered a backlash from the presidency, which accused Onaiyekan of partisanship.
