Cardinal Onaiyekan Urges President Tinubu: "We Can’t Continue Like This" – Calls for Urgent Action on Insecurity, Corruption, and Hardship

 

Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja and a leading figure in the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), has delivered a stark warning to President Bola Tinubu, declaring that Nigeria cannot sustain its current trajectory of insecurity, economic hardship, and leadership failures.

In an interview aired on Arise TV following the CBCN's recent communique expressing deep dismay over the nation's worsening socio-economic and political challenges, Cardinal Onaiyekan emphasized that the bishops are not seeking to seize power but are compelled by love for the country to "speak truth to power."

"We can’t continue like this," Onaiyekan stated emphatically. "We must change the way we are doing things. Definitely, if we do [continue], there will be more anger, more calls for change."

He outlined key demands he would make if granted direct access to the President:

Prioritize Security Above All

Cardinal Onaiyekan described insecurity as Nigeria's foremost crisis, with persistent killings, displacement of communities, and unsafe travel even for those in power. He questioned the effectiveness of declarations like the President's security emergency measures, noting that "we didn’t see anything" tangible on the ground.

"We ought not to be living in a country where killings are going on, where villagers are not safe, where even the people in power are not safe," he said. "He [President Tinubu] should do whatever it takes to make Nigerians safe."

He linked much of the violence to socio-economic sabotage, including illegal mining and oil bunkering, which fuel terrorism and banditry. Onaiyekan challenged the notion that leaders are unaware of these issues, asking how such atrocities could persist in a "civilised nation."

Tackle Corruption Head-On

Corruption remains deeply intertwined with insecurity and economic woes, according to the cardinal. He stressed that without decisive action against graft, efforts to stabilize the economy or restore safety would fail.

End Polarisation and Restore National Unity

Onaiyekan lamented growing divisions along ethnic, religious, and political lines, urging leaders to foster genuine reconciliation and inclusive governance.

The CBCN's communique, endorsed by nearly 70 bishops, decried "bad leadership" causing systemic damage, including a worsening economy, widespread poverty despite Nigeria's vast resources, and a troubling decline in democratic values. The bishops highlighted voter apathy, loss of trust in institutions, and structural weaknesses in security architecture.

Cardinal Onaiyekan clarified that the Church has "no intention of taking over the government" and is driven solely by concern for the people's suffering. He noted that Nigeria today is "not the country we lived in before—it is worse in many aspects," with citizens feeling hopeless and hungrier than in past decades.

As Nigeria grapples with these interconnected crises, Cardinal Onaiyekan's message serves as a moral and urgent call to action: the status quo is unsustainable, and bold, sincere reforms are essential to avert further deterioration and restore hope.