Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Northern Nigeria, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, has slammed presidential spokesmen Daniel Bwala and Bayo Onanuga over their attacks on Catholic Bishops who met with President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking on Trust TV’s Daybreak, Hayab said those attacking the Bishops are putting their stomach first and do not care about Nigeria’s future.
“Those who believe that their first god is their stomach, and their interest is what they gain from government, they don’t care about the future of the country. If we do not address insecurity, these same people shouting against these bishops will also be victims. Their families will be victims,” he said.
He singled out Bwala, noting that his own home village has not been resettled due to insecurity.
“My brother Daniel Bwala, whose home village has not resettled up to now. Someone is calling for things to be done right so that things will be good for you at home and good for you in the city, and you call it partisan? Then you are short-sighted,” he said.
Hayab also questioned Bayo Onanuga’s posture, saying Nigerians remember him as a courageous journalist who exposed secrets under Buhari.
“Is it not the same Bayo? Such a man with such courage, what has happened to him now that he is no longer thinking about nation-building and transparency? All he is interested in is his position,” he said.
According to him, those who tell Tinubu the truth love him more than praise-singers.
“Those who tell Tinubu the truth are the true lovers. Those shouting around you are shouting to eat. We are telling you the truth to correct, so that you will be happy and successful and the nation will be happy,” he added.
On claims that the Bishops’ visit was ill-timed because of 2027 politics, Hayab dismissed it, saying appointment to see the President sometimes takes six months and the message remains valid.
“Why do you think election is more important than people’s joy? If all people die and you wait for election day and there are no people to cast votes, what is the value of election when people are not alive?” he asked.
He said despite government claims of sharing rice and money, people still sleep hungry, urging Tinubu to set up a private monitoring team to confirm if palliatives truly reach the poor.
“I saw the bishops that visited Tinubu as God-sent. They are helping Tinubu at the right time. He can still correct these things before election. Kudos to bishops,” he said.
