Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has demanded an apology from aides of President Bola Tinubu over what he described as disrespectful attacks on the Catholic Church and Christians in Nigeria.
Amaechi made the demand during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday night, where he called on the President’s aides to stop what he described as attacks on the Catholic faith and Christian leaders.
The former governor said he suspended his period of mourning for his late mother to speak out against what he considered disrespectful comments made by officials of the Presidency concerning the Catholic Church.
“I came here simply to say, please ask the President to stop insulting the Catholic Church, to stop insulting Christians. They should respect God and respect the Christian faith. They should stop insulting Christians,” Amaechi said.
He stressed that his intervention was not politically motivated, insisting that he was speaking out because of what he described as persistent attacks on Christian leaders.
“I’m not here to discuss politics. What I’m going to discuss is that they should leave the Catholic Church alone. They should respect God and respect the Christian faith,” he said.
Amaechi said he respected both Christianity and Islam and warned political leaders against making statements that could deepen religious divisions in the country.
According to him, criticism directed at Cardinal John Onaiyekan amounted to an attack on his Christian faith.
“I don’t believe in religious differences. If you come to my house and you’re a Muslim, there is a place for Muslims to worship. If you’re a Christian, there is a chapel for Christians to worship. I believe in that, but not to insult my God,” he said.
He questioned whether similar comments would have been directed at a prominent Islamic cleric if the situation involved the Muslim community.
“If the Sultan had confronted the President, would they have insulted him? We’ve been insulted because we are Christians,” Amaechi said.
The former Rivers governor also defended the leadership of the Catholic Church, describing Catholic bishops as accomplished scholars who deserved to be treated with respect.
“You can’t be a Catholic priest without studying. You can’t become a bishop without proper qualifications. They should respect our bishops,” he said.
When asked whether he expected President Tinubu or the Presidency to apologise, Amaechi said the decision ultimately belonged to the Catholic bishops.
“That is their business. If the bishops demand that, fine. But that is their business,” he said.
He also cautioned politicians against exploiting religion for political purposes, warning that such actions could heighten tensions in a country with significant religious diversity.
The controversy followed recent exchanges between the Presidency and Cardinal Onaiyekan after the cleric recounted a meeting with President Tinubu during which he said he raised concerns about Nigeria’s economic hardship and insecurity.
Following the Cardinal’s account, presidential aides publicly challenged aspects of his comments, prompting criticism from some members of the Christian community who viewed the responses as disrespectful to the Cardinal and the Catholic Church.
Amaechi urged the Presidency to refrain from further confrontation with the church, insisting that disagreements with religious leaders should not degenerate into attacks on Christianity.
“I think they have no respect for the Catholic Church. I think they have no respect for the Christian faith,” he said.
Amaechi, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 election, said political disagreements should not prevent leaders from maintaining respect for religious institutions.
“When it’s time for politics, we’re ready to abuse anybody and descend as low as they want,” he stated.
