MAKURDI – An All Progressives Congress (APC) member and Knight of the Catholic Church, Sir Terna Gile Julian, has defended the recent engagement between the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the meeting as a patriotic and longstanding tradition of constructive dialogue rather than an act of political opposition.
Speaking in a statement issued in Makurdi, Benue State, Sir Julian maintained that the concerns raised by the Catholic Bishops over insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, inflation and the general state of the nation reflected the realities confronting millions of Nigerians, and should not be misconstrued as hostility towards the Federal Government.
According to him, the Catholic Church has consistently played a moral and non-partisan role in Nigeria’s democratic evolution by engaging successive administrations on issues affecting the welfare of citizens.
“The Bishops were simply carrying out their pastoral responsibility by speaking for the suffering masses. Their intervention was rooted in the Church’s social teachings on human dignity, justice, solidarity and the common good, not partisan politics,” he stated.
Sir Julian also came to the defence of former Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, following reactions trailing the Cardinal’s interview on Arise Television after the bishops’ visit to the President recently.
He described Cardinal Onaiyekan as one of Nigeria’s most respected religious leaders, renowned for his moderation, intellectual integrity, commitment to interfaith dialogue and advocacy for peace.
He argued that the Cardinal’s remarks were balanced, civil and consistent with his role as a church leader and elder statesman, stressing that expressing honest opinions in a democracy should not attract personal attacks.
“Disagreeing with a public figure is legitimate in a democracy, but attempting to diminish his character because he expressed an honest opinion is neither fair nor helpful. Cardinal Onaiyekan did not incite hatred or disobedience; he merely reflected on national issues in line with his vocation,” he said.
The APC stalwart further appealed to the President’s media aides and political supporters to embrace constructive engagement instead of adopting confrontational responses to criticism from respected national institutions.
He observed that excessive defensiveness often creates the impression that government is unwilling to listen, urging official spokespersons to respond to public concerns with facts, empathy and openness.
Sir Julian noted that President Tinubu himself built his political career within a democratic culture that values debate, dialogue and negotiation, adding that respectful criticism from religious leaders, professional associations, traditional institutions and civil society should be viewed as valuable feedback rather than acts of hostility.
Reaffirming his loyalty to the ruling APC, he stressed that supporting the success of the Tinubu administration does not require silence in the face of citizens’ hardship or antagonism towards the Church.
“One can support the government and still acknowledge the pain of the people. One can respect the President and still value the prophetic voice of the Bishops,” he remarked.
He called on Catholics, APC faithful and Nigerians generally to avoid unnecessary polarization, insisting that the Catholic Church is not an enemy of government and that both institutions have complementary roles in nation-building.
While government provides political leadership, he said, the Church offers moral guidance essential for promoting justice, peace and national development.
Sir Julian concluded by praying for wisdom for political leaders, courage and responsibility for religious leaders, and renewed peace, justice and hope for Nigeria.
