Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused Cardinal John Onaiyekan of allowing partisanship to influence his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking on the role of religious leaders and elder statesmen in national discourse, Wike said he welcomed constructive criticism from respected public figures. However, he argued that comments from individuals perceived to have taken political sides should be approached with caution.
According to the minister, while government officials should remain open to scrutiny, repeated criticism from the same quarters may raise questions about the impartiality of such interventions.
Wike maintained that Cardinal Onaiyekan’s views on the Tinubu administration were already widely known, making it difficult for some Nigerians to regard his remarks as entirely objective.
“While I do not oppose comments from religious leaders and elder statesmen who criticise the government, when a particular section consistently voices such criticisms, the government must proceed with caution,” Wike said.
He further stated that if a religious leader is widely perceived to have aligned with a particular political position, the public may find it difficult to interpret such comments as purely constructive.
“If you are a religious leader and it is perceived that you are taking a side—as is very clear in the case of Cardinal John Onaiyekan—it becomes difficult for people to regard those comments as constructive. I am aware of Cardinal John Onaiyekan’s position; it is not hidden,” he added.
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The FCT minister also stressed that public service should involve more than criticism of those in office, arguing that meaningful contributions to governance should extend beyond highlighting perceived shortcomings.
“You cannot make only criticism of an administration the centerpiece of your contribution to governance,” Wike said.
His remarks come amid continued public debate over the performance of the Tinubu administration, with religious leaders, civil society groups and opposition figures expressing differing views on the government’s policies and direction.