In response to the controversy surrounding Onaiyekan’s remarks following a recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Wike made the comments during his media parley on Tuesday.
In an interview after the encounter, the cardinal claimed that those close to President Tinubu were giving him a “rosy picture” of the nation and implied that the President was concentrating on winning the 2027 presidential election.

The Presidency criticized Cardinal Onaiyekan for revealing details from a private meeting, labeling it an abuse of privilege. In response, FCT Minister Wike emphasized that public comments from religious leaders must strike a balance, suggesting that unrelenting criticism without recognition of government successes could appear politically biased. Wike noted that if religious leaders show clear support for certain political sides, their statements may lose credibility and be seen as unconstructive.

He urged that while it is necessary to criticize the government when warranted, leaders should also acknowledge the accomplishments made by the government. Wike asserted that an overtly negative stance, particularly from respected figures, might lead the government to perceive such criticism as lacking objectivity and stemming from political opposition.

When it was suggested that the bishops do not have a partisan stance, Wike refuted this claim, citing the previous presidential election in 2023 as evidence of religious leaders’ clear alignments with specific candidates. He contended that the impartiality of religious figures could not be taken seriously, pointing to the well-known affiliations formed during the election, thereby underscoring the notion that their positions are influenced by political affiliations.