Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has alleged that Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, is openly supporting one of the candidates expected to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during a media briefing with selected journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike claimed that the cleric’s political preference is widely known.
According to the minister, several religious leaders took clear political positions during the 2023 general election and appear to be adopting the same approach ahead of the 2027 polls.
“I know Cardinal Onaiyekan’s position. It is no secret who he supports. Everyone is aware of it,” Wike said.
He made the remarks while responding to the debate surrounding Cardinal Onaiyekan’s disclosure of discussions from a recent closed-door meeting between President Bola Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
Wike argued that when religious leaders are perceived to be aligned with a particular political camp, their public comments on national issues may no longer be viewed as impartial by many Nigerians.
