Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Timi Frank, has praised the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) for what he described as their courage in confronting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with the realities of the country’s economic, social and political challenges.
Frank said the bishops demonstrated uncommon leadership by speaking frankly to the President on issues ranging from economic hardship and insecurity to concerns about the future of Nigeria’s democracy. He urged other religious leaders across the country to emulate what he called the bishops’ example of moral courage and public accountability.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the former APC spokesman said the Catholic bishops deserved commendation for what he described as their willingness to “look the President in the face and tell him the bitter truth about the state of the nation.”
“We commend the Catholic leaders for their courage,” Frank said. “We have not seen this kind of courage from religious leaders in Nigeria for a long time. They were brave enough to look the President in the face and tell him the bitter truth.”
According to him, the intervention by the bishops reflected the true role of religious leaders in society, which he said goes beyond prayers and ceremonial engagements with political leaders.
Frank urged President Tinubu to take the observations and recommendations of the bishops seriously, arguing that responding positively to their concerns could help rebuild public confidence in his administration.
“The President should heed their advice,” he said. “By doing so, he will save himself from further embarrassment. These are true leaders, and we expect other religious bodies to follow the example set by the Catholic leaders.”
He maintained that constructive criticism from respected religious institutions should not be viewed as hostility to government but as a contribution to national development and democratic accountability.
Frank also challenged both Christian and Muslim leaders to speak more openly about the difficulties confronting ordinary Nigerians instead of limiting their interactions with government officials to prayers and expressions of goodwill.
According to him, many religious leaders are aware of the economic pain, insecurity and social discontent affecting citizens but often fail to communicate these concerns directly to those in authority.
“When they have the opportunity to tell the President the truth, they simply say they are praying for him,” he said. “But they know the truth. They know the damage that has been done in this country. How long will they continue to sit and pray when they should be speaking the truth?”
The former APC spokesman argued that religious leaders occupy a unique moral position in society and therefore have a responsibility to hold leaders accountable, particularly at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with rising living costs, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
He said silence in the face of suffering amounts to a failure of moral responsibility and urged faith leaders to become more active voices in national discourse.
Frank’s comments followed last week’s meeting between President Tinubu and the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
During the meeting, the bishops reportedly raised concerns about worsening economic conditions, insecurity, governance challenges and the need to strengthen democratic institutions. They were also said to have cautioned against any actions capable of undermining Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has historically used its engagements with successive administrations to comment on national issues, including corruption, insecurity, economic hardship, electoral integrity, social justice and constitutional governance.
In recent years, the bishops have repeatedly called for policies that would reduce poverty, improve security and strengthen public institutions, while urging political leaders to place the welfare of citizens above partisan interests.
Frank said the latest intervention by the bishops should be seen as part of that longstanding tradition of prophetic engagement with national affairs.
He further argued that the country needs more voices willing to speak honestly to those in power, especially as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to gather momentum.
According to him, Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when institutions, civil society groups and religious bodies are prepared to defend truth, justice and accountability.
The former APC official also called on citizens to support leaders and institutions that promote transparency, constitutionalism and good governance, warning that the erosion of democratic values could have serious consequences for national stability.
He said the growing public debate over economic management, governance and electoral integrity should encourage government officials to listen more attentively to constructive criticism rather than dismissing dissenting views.
Frank’s remarks add to the expanding national conversation on the state of the economy, governance and preparations for the next election cycle, with opposition figures, civil society organisations and professional groups increasingly demanding greater accountability and institutional independence from the Federal Government.
As discussions continue over the bishops’ engagement with the President, Frank insisted that the central issue is not politics but the need for leaders to confront the realities facing millions of Nigerians and respond with sincerity, competence and urgency.
