Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has described Cardinal John Onaiyekan as the “Desmond Tutu of Nigeria,” comparing the Catholic cleric to the late South African Anglican Archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner renowned for his opposition to apartheid and injustice.

 

 

 

George, the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, also urged Onaiyekan not to be distracted by the barrage of criticism directed at him by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and some government officials over his comments on the state of the nation.

In a statement on Sunday, George said Onaiyekan should draw inspiration from the challenges Tutu faced while speaking against injustice and oppression in South Africa.

He said genuine Nigerian clerics and Christians would continue to speak truth to power regardless of intimidation or criticism.

“Look at the way Nyesom Wike attacked Cardinal Onaiyekan? Does that make any sense to an average Nigerian? One government official said Onaiyekan was only speaking for Catholics, as if other Christians, even Muslims and atheists, are not affected by the anti-people policies of this administration.

“Another official said Onaiyekan is working for the opposition. Haba!” George said.

He maintained that Onaiyekan’s comments should not be interpreted as partisan politics, arguing that the cleric was expressing concerns about issues affecting Nigerians irrespective of their religious or political affiliations.

George also drew a parallel between the criticism of Onaiyekan and the biblical account of the trial of Jesus Christ, when the crowd called for the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus.

 

 

 

“What is going on now also happened in the Bible. When Pilate asked the people who they wanted crucified, they shouted that they wanted Barabbas, an armed robber, to be released, and Jesus Christ crucified.

“So, if some people are abusing Onaiyekan today, they are behaving like those who loved Barabbas,” he said.

The former PDP deputy national chairman urged the Cardinal to remain steadfast and continue to speak openly about the challenges facing the country.

 

“I urge the Cardinal to continue to hold the faith and speak the truth without any fear. He should keep advising the government on what to do to make Nigeria great,” George said.

He also appealed to those criticising Onaiyekan to respect his age, position and contributions to the country.

“Onaiyekan is a cardinal, a member of the conclave who elect the Pope. He is over 80 years now. Anybody who wants to grow old should not attack an octogenarian who is also a cleric,” he said.

George further criticised an unnamed individual he alleged works with Wike for attacking him, saying the person lacked the experience and standing to insult an elder.

 

“One of those data boys who works for Wike also abused me, and my first child is older than him.

“I was told he is a Yorubaman, and he is abusing a Yoruba elder, the Atona Oodua, just because of politics. Karma is waiting for him,” he added.