Ignore Wike, Govt Officials, Bode George Tells Onaiyekan

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has urged the Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, not to bother himself over the barrage of attacks from FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and some government officials over his sincere comments on the state of the nation.

George, in a statement signed by him at the weekend, described Onaiyekan, as the ‘Desmond Tutu of Nigeria’.

He urged Onaiyekan to learn from the challenges Tutu faced in South Africa while alive, adding that no matter the level of intimidation, real Nigerian clerics and  Christians should 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!

“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.

“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,” the statement read in part.