The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening engagement with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), faith-based organisations and other stakeholders in addressing the country’s security, economic and developmental challenges.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, made the pledge while responding to reactions following President Bola Tinubu’s recent meeting with the leadership of the CBCN, where the bishops expressed concerns over insecurity, economic hardship, democracy and the conduct of elections.
The response follows comments by Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, who said on a television programme that the President disagreed with the bishops’ assessment, insisting that his administration was making progress.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Yomi Odunuga, Akume said the Tinubu administration would continue to consult the Catholic bishops and other stakeholders, stressing that the President remained open to honest and constructive advice.
He described the meeting between Tinubu and the bishops as candid, respectful and constructive, covering issues such as security, economic reforms, education, electoral credibility, political pluralism and religious freedom.
Akume said while the government and the Church might hold differing views on some matters, such differences should not undermine their shared commitment to Nigeria’s peace, unity and progress.
He added that the administration was strengthening the country’s security architecture through improved intelligence, recruitment, logistics, technology, personnel welfare and the establishment of new Army divisions.
The SGF also defended the Federal Government’s economic reforms, saying they were necessary to address structural challenges and restore macroeconomic stability.
He further reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to multi-party democracy, insisting that President Tinubu neither seeks nor supports a one-party state.
