Catholic priests not like ‘fake bishops’, Atiku flays presidency’s attack on Onaiyekan

The PunchIndependentProgressive4 hr. ago

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticized the Nigerian presidency for attacking the Catholic Church and Cardinal John Onaiyekan, accusing the administration of being intolerant of dissent. He called for an apology to Cardinal Onaiyekan and the Catholic faithful, condemning the presidency's response to the bishops' criticisms as arrogant and disrespectful. Atiku argued that the presidency should engage in introspection rather than resorting to intimidation and discrediting religious leaders. He praised the Catholic Church for its longstanding role in advocating for the poor and vulnerable, emphasizing the importance of religious leaders speaking truth to power. Atiku defended Cardinal Onaiyekan's decision to speak publicly, asserting it was an effort to present facts rather than control the narrative.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the presidency's actions as politically motivated attacks against religious leaders, portraying them as intolerant and authoritarian. It emphasizes the moral authority of the Catholic Church and criticizes the administration for suppressing dissent, which aligns with left-leaning抨

Vanguard NigeriaIndependentProgressive5 hr. ago

Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar criticized the Tinubu administration for attacking Cardinal John Onaiyekan and the Catholic Church, accusing them of intolerance toward dissent. Atiku claimed the administration uses intimidation rather than engaging with critical perspectives, referencing a recent televised interview where Onaiyekan expressed concerns about economic hardship. The cardinal's comments reportedly upset Tinubu and his officials, leading to accusations that Onaiyekan and the Church supported Atiku's rival, Peter Obi. Atiku argued that the administration surrounds itself with 'fake bishops' for political gain, contrasting this with the independence of genuine clergy. He praised the Church's role in speaking truth to power and condemned efforts to suppress or manipulate the bishops' messages.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the administration's actions as politically motivated suppression of dissent, using strong language such as 'intimidation,' 'war against honest voices,' and 'fake bishops.' It portrays the Catholic Church as a moral authority independent of politics, which aligns with left-leaning