Segun James
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has urged John Cardinal Onaiyekan not to bother himself over the barrage of attacks from FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, over his opinion on the state of the nation.
George, who urged Onaiyekan to learn from the challenges Desmond Tutu faced in South Africa while alive, said no matter the level of intimidation, real Nigerian clerics and christians will continue to speak truth to power.
“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!”
He explained that what is going on now also happened in the Bible when Pilate asked the people who they wanted crucified and 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. 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.
“Onaiyekan is a cardinal, a member of the conclave who elects the Pope. He is over 80 years old now. Anybody who wants to grow old should not attack an octogenarian who is also a cleric.
“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,” George stated.