Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, has defended the outcome of the President’s meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, insisting that President Tinubu responded comprehensively to every concern raised by the bishops.
Ajayi’s defence followed comments by Cardinal John Onaiyekan, who spoke publicly about the closed-door meeting during a television interview.
In a strongly worded article published on Facebook, Ajayi argued that the Cardinal’s decision to publicly narrate what transpired amounted to a breach of confidence and an abuse of the privileged access granted to the bishops.
According to Ajayi, the audience was requested by the Catholic bishops themselves, and President Tinubu willingly created time to engage with them on issues affecting the nation.
He said the bishops raised concerns about inflation, insecurity, poverty, governance and social conditions.
The President, he noted, listened patiently before responding to each issue in detail.
Ajayi rejected claims that Tinubu dismissed the concerns presented by the bishops.
Instead, he explained that the President acknowledged the country’s challenges while emphasising that his administration had begun reversing years of economic decline.
He also addressed the bishops’ request for the return of mission schools, reminding them that education is constitutionally managed by state governments.
Ajayi said Tinubu encouraged the bishops to pursue the matter with governors while recalling that he returned mission schools during his time as Governor of Lagos State.
The presidential aide defended the administration’s economic reforms, saying they prevented Nigeria from slipping into a deeper financial crisis.
According to him, stronger state finances have translated into more regular salary and pension payments across several states.
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Ajayi further argued that the President’s understanding of Nigeria’s security situation is based on classified intelligence, operational briefings and military reports received daily as Commander-in-Chief.
He maintained that while insecurity remains a serious concern, military and intelligence agencies have recorded notable gains that deserve recognition.
Ajayi also dismissed suggestions that President Tinubu relies on outsiders to understand the country’s mood.
He said the President keeps abreast of national developments through daily intelligence reports, newspaper reviews, television discussions and consultations with government officials.
While recognising the important role played by religious leaders, Ajayi insisted they do not possess a monopoly on public opinion or national morality.
He concluded by saying that confidential meetings between the President and respected stakeholders should remain private, warning that public commentary on such engagements risks eroding trust and undermining the spirit of honest dialogue between government and civil society.
