The Presidency has criticised Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, for publicly discussing the outcome of a private meeting between President Bola Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), describing his comments as inappropriate.

In separate statements on Saturday, presidential aides Temitope Ajayi and Daniel Bwala defended President Tinubu’s response to concerns raised by the bishops during the July 28 meeting at the Presidential Villa.

The Presidency’s reaction followed Onaiyekan’s interview on Arise Television, where he disclosed that the bishops told Tinubu Nigerians were facing worsening economic hardship, insecurity and democratic challenges, but the President rejected their assessment, insisting his administration was making progress.

Onaiyekan said the bishops’ position reflected the collective view of the conference after extensive consultations and was presented out of a moral obligation to speak on the realities confronting Nigerians. He also suggested that many people around the President were painting an overly positive picture of the country’s situation.

Responding, Ajayi said the bishops’ assessment represented only one perspective and should not be treated as the final verdict on the country’s condition. He argued that while challenges remained, the Tinubu administration had recorded measurable progress, including improved fiscal stability and more regular payment of salaries and pensions.

Ajayi also rejected the suggestion that the President was detached from reality, noting that Tinubu receives regular intelligence briefings, follows developments through the media and consults widely before making decisions.

Bwala, on his part, accused Onaiyekan of allowing politics to influence his comments, insisting the President was entitled to disagree with the bishops’ position based on available facts and economic data.

Meanwhile, Bishop Matthew Kukah, who was part of the delegation that met the President, declined to comment further on the meeting, saying he had no separate position to express.

Also reacting, the Lagos Central Senatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Ladipo Johnson, criticised Tinubu’s reported suggestion that Nigerians facing hardship should seek assistance from churches, arguing that addressing the country’s economic challenges remains the responsibility of government.