Northern Christians Condemn Bwala Over Remarks on Catholic Bishops

By Marian Alekhue

The Northern Christian Association (NCA) has strongly condemned comments credited to Presidential Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Daniel Bwala, over his reaction to the recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, accusing him of attempting to divide Christians along denominational lines.

The controversy followed Bwala’s assertion that Cardinal John Onaiyekan was speaking for Catholics and not for the entire Christian community after the bishops expressed concerns over Nigeria’s economic hardship and worsening insecurity.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman of the Northern Christian Association, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said Catholics are an integral part of the Christian faith and warned against efforts to create unnecessary divisions within the Church.

“Our members are Catholics, Baptists, ECWA, Methodists, Anglicans, Pentecostals and people from virtually every Christian denomination. We refuse to be divided by politics,” Hayab said, insisting that the Catholic bishops spoke on issues affecting all Nigerians and not merely Catholic faithful.

Hayab described Cardinal Onaiyekan as a respected Christian leader whose comments to President Tinubu were offered in good faith and in the national interest. According to him, it was inappropriate for a presidential spokesman to publicly disparage a senior cleric who merely highlighted the challenges confronting millions of Nigerians.

He maintained that the bishops’ intervention reflected genuine concern over insecurity, the rising cost of living and other national issues, adding that their message was intended to encourage government action rather than score political points.

The association further stressed that attempts to portray Catholics as separate from the wider Christian community were misleading and capable of undermining the unity of Christians across the country.

The NCA reaffirmed its support for the Catholic bishops, describing them as patriotic leaders committed to justice, peace and national development. It urged political leaders and government officials to engage religious leaders with respect and focus on addressing the concerns they raise instead of attacking their personalities.

The exchange has generated widespread public debate following the bishops’ audience with President Tinubu, during which they called attention to the country’s economic and security challenges, prompting differing reactions from government officials and political observers.