The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has expressed support for former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria following their concerns over Nigeria’s economic hardship and security challenges.
The forum also condemned what it described as “unwarranted attacks” on the cleric by some government officials and supporters, arguing that discussions about poverty, insecurity and the suffering of citizens should not be turned into political disputes.
The position was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the National Spokesman of the MBF, Luka Binniyat.
The statement followed recent reactions after members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on July 24, where they reportedly raised concerns over rising poverty, economic difficulties and insecurity across the country.
While President Tinubu defended his administration’s economic reforms and said they were yielding positive results, Cardinal Onaiyekan later stated in an interview that the President might not be receiving a full picture of the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
The comments attracted criticism from some government figures, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who accused the cleric of making political statements.
However, the MBF described the criticism against Onaiyekan as unfair and misplaced, insisting that the Cardinal was speaking from the perspective of a concerned citizen and religious leader.
“Cardinal Onaiyekan merely echoed what millions of Nigerians experience every day. He spoke neither as a politician nor as an opposition figure. The Cardinal spoke as a patriotic Nigerian and a respected religious leader who has consistently stood for justice, peace and the welfare of all citizens,” the forum said.
The group said communities across the Middle Belt region continued to face serious security challenges, alleging that attacks by terrorists and armed groups had resulted in loss of lives, displacement and destruction of livelihoods.
According to the forum, many farmers had been unable to access their farmlands, while families affected by violence had lost homes, businesses and sources of income. It added that many children had been forced out of school and vulnerable groups, including widows and orphans, increasingly depended on humanitarian support.
The MBF, however, acknowledged the efforts and sacrifices of Nigeria’s security agencies in combating insecurity, noting that many personnel had lost their lives while carrying out their duties.
Despite these efforts, the forum said millions of Nigerians still struggled to live, farm and operate businesses without fear.
On the economy, the group argued that although the national minimum wage was increased from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 under the Tinubu administration, inflation and the decline in the value of the naira had reduced workers’ purchasing power.
The forum maintained that addressing the concerns raised by religious leaders required open dialogue and a focus on improving the living conditions of Nigerians rather than politicising criticism.
