Northern Youth Council Urges Clerics to Emulate Onaiyekan, Speak Truth to Power

The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has urged religious and traditional leaders across the country to place the welfare of Nigerians above personal interests, political access, and silence in the face of national challenges.

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna, the National President of the council, Isah Abubakar, called on Muslim and Christian clerics to emulate Cardinal John Onaiyekan, whom he praised for speaking frankly about the country’s challenges during a recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

According to Abubakar, the Cardinal reflected the concerns of ordinary Nigerians grappling with economic hardship, inflation, and insecurity.

“Cardinal Onaiyekan spoke the collective mind of the Nigerian people, and we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him in defence of truth, justice and good governance,” he said.

The NYCN said religious leaders have a moral obligation to prioritise the survival of the nation and the wellbeing of citizens over personal gain or political favour.

“We call on religious scholars, clerics and traditional leaders of all faiths, Muslim and Christian alike across Nigeria, to emulate the Cardinal’s courage. Our faith leaders must prioritise the welfare of the people and the survival of the country over personal gain, access to power, or self-serving silence,” the statement added.

Backs Onaiyekan’s comments

The council expressed solidarity with Cardinal Onaiyekan following his engagement with President Tinubu alongside members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

It described the cleric as a respected statesman and moral voice who merely highlighted the realities confronting millions of Nigerians.

“Humanity and future generations will forever remain grateful to His Eminence for his unwavering resolve to speak truth to power, regardless of the discomfort it causes in the halls of leadership,” the council stated.

Criticises attacks on the Cardinal

The youth group also criticised what it described as attempts by presidential aides to discredit the Cardinal instead of addressing the issues he raised.

It questioned the basis for the criticism, insisting that Onaiyekan’s remarks accurately reflected the country’s current situation.

According to the NYCN, shielding political leaders from criticism through flattery and sycophancy only worsens Nigeria’s challenges.

The council commended the Cardinal for choosing to present what it described as the “unfiltered condition of the nation” directly to the President instead of pursuing political favour or personal comfort.