Cardinal Onaiyekan: I spoke the truth, not to please government

Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, says he is not afraid of the Federal Government following criticism of his public account of a July 28 meeting between Catholic bishops and President Bola Tinubu, according to a PUNCH report.

In a video shared by SYMFONI TV, the 82-year-old cleric said he spoke on Arise News to convey the truth on behalf of fellow bishops, not to please anyone. The Presidency, through aide Temitope Ajayi, had criticised his disclosure as inappropriate for a private engagement. Onaiyekan maintained Nigerians should not take free speech for granted, noting few African clerics speak as openly.