Onaiyekan’s Record of Speaking Truth to Nigerian Governments, 1979–2025

Claims that Cardinal John Onaiyekan has only recently begun criticising government are contradicted by his public record. From the Shagari era to the Tinubu administration, he and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria have spoken on election rigging, human rights, poverty, insecurity and constitutional rule. The record cited includes criticism of military decrees under Buhari, the June 12 annulment under IBB, Abiola’s detention under Abacha, Obasanjo’s third-term bid, flawed elections under Yar’Adua, insecurity under Jonathan and Buhari, and the economic hardship linked to subsidy removal under Tinubu. The central argument is that Onaiyekan’s position has been consistent: governments should obey the law, protect citizens, respect votes and prioritise the poor. Critics should address those issues rather than dismiss him as partisan simply because he now speaks about the Tinubu administration.

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