The Presidency has criticised Cardinal John Onaiyekan for discussing a private meeting between the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu in a television interview, describing the move as an abuse of clerical privilege.
In a statement, the Presidency said: "There is something fundamentally inappropriate about Cardinal John Onaiyekan granting a television interview to offer his own account and interpretation of what transpired during the private meeting between the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu. It is, in my view, an abuse of clerical privilege."
The comment, reported by Premium Times Nigeria, signals friction between the government and the Catholic hierarchy over the confidentiality of their discussions.
The meeting itself was private, and the Presidency's rebuke underscores its expectation that such engagements remain discreet. The Cardinal's decision to speak publicly suggests differing views on transparency and the role of the clergy in public discourse.
This development comes amid broader debates about the relationship between religious institutions and the state in Nigeria. For readers of The Naira Standard, it highlights the delicate balance between pastoral duties and political engagement.
The Presidency's sharp response may deter future public commentary by clerics on sensitive meetings, but it also raises questions about the limits of clerical privilege in a democracy.