OPEN LETTER TO HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
RE: THE RECENT VISIT OF THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF NIGERIA TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE PUBLIC REACTIONS THERETO
Your Excellency,
1. INTRODUCTION
The Knights of St. John International and Ladies Auxiliary, Nigeria, respectfully address this open letter to Your Excellency in consequence of the public controversy arising from the recent visit of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (“CBCN”) to the Presidency on 27 July 2026.
The Knights of St. John International and Ladies Auxiliary constitute a family apostolate and fraternal organisation within the Roman Catholic Church. The Order has existed in Nigeria since 1976 and is present across the Catholic Dioceses of the country under the ecclesiastical authority of the Church. Its mission includes the propagation and defence of the Christian faith, the promotion of works of charity and mercy, and service to God and country under the patronage of St. John the Baptist.
Our membership cuts across Nigeria’s ethnic, social and political divides. Consistent with our motto, Pro Deo et Patria – For God and Country – we consider it both proper and necessary to speak respectfully where matters affecting the Church, the welfare of Nigerians and the peace and stability of our country arise.
We have followed with concern the controversy generated by the Bishops’ visit and, more particularly, some of the responses to the observations made by the CBCN during that engagement.
We respectfully consider it necessary to place the matter in its proper perspective.
2. THE PRESENT NATIONAL CONTEXT
Your Excellency, the intervention of the Bishops cannot properly be considered in isolation from the prevailing circumstances in our country. Nigeria continues to confront serious security challenges arising from banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of violent criminality. In several parts of the country, citizens continue to live with apprehension concerning the security of their lives, families and property.
The country also faces significant economic difficulties. Unemployment, declining purchasing power, poverty, deprivation and the high cost of living continue to place considerable pressure upon individuals and families.
There remain, in addition, substantial challenges in providing accessible, high-quality education and healthcare.
As Nigeria approaches another electoral cycle, questions regarding the credibility of our electoral processes, the preservation of political pluralism, the strength of democratic institutions, and the continued protection of civic space are matters that legitimately deserve the attention of every responsible institution and citizen. These are not partisan matters. They concern the peace, prosperity and future of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
3. THE CBCN AS A LONGSTANDING PARTNER IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has, over the years, occupied an important position in Nigeria’s public life as a moral and religious institution.
Its engagement with successive governments is neither novel nor peculiar to the present administration.
For many years, the Bishops have engaged leaders of government on questions affecting peace, security, justice, good governance, religious harmony and the general welfare of Nigerians. Such engagements are consistent with the Church’s responsibility to speak on matters touching upon human dignity and the common good.
The recent visit to Your Excellency must therefore be understood against that historical background.
The CBCN represents the collective pastoral leadership of the Catholic Church in Nigeria and speaks to matters affecting millions of Catholic citizens who, like every other Nigerian, are directly affected by the security, economic and social conditions prevailing in the country. Indeed, the address presented during the visit expressly stated that the Bishops had come to share their observations and genuine concerns while continuing their collaborative engagement with government in the task of building a nation founded upon justice, love and peace.
That declaration of purpose is important.
The visit was therefore properly an engagement between an important national religious institution and the Government of the Federation on matters concerning the wellbeing of the Nigerian people.
4. THE BISHOPS’ INTERVENTION WAS NOT AN UNQUALIFIED CONDEMNATION OF GOVERNMENT
It is equally important to emphasise that the CBCN did not approach Your Excellency merely to condemn the Federal Government. On the contrary, the Bishops expressly acknowledged and commended certain steps taken by the administration.
Among other matters, they recognised the successful release of kidnapped school children and their teachers in Oyo State, the arrest and prosecution of persons alleged to have participated in the kidnapping, and the possibilities demonstrated by effective governmental action in protecting lives and property.
The Bishops similarly acknowledged Your Excellency’s commitment to providing opportunities for young Nigerians through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and the Student Loan Initiative.
These acknowledgements are significant.
They demonstrate that the Bishops’ intervention was not founded upon hostility to the Government or an unwillingness to recognise areas in which progress had been recorded. Their address was, rather, an attempt to present a balanced assessment: to acknowledge progress where progress had been made and, at the same time, to draw attention to areas in which many Nigerians continue to experience profound difficulty.
Constructive engagement necessarily permits both commendation and criticism.
One cannot reasonably be accepted while the other is rejected merely because it is uncomfortable.
5. OUR CONCERN REGARDING THE PUBLIC CHARACTERISATION OF THE VISIT
It is against the foregoing background that the Knights of St. John International and Ladies Auxiliary received with concern the public reactions which appeared to attribute partisan or political motives to the Bishops’ intervention.
With profound respect to Your Excellency and the high office which you occupy, we consider such a characterisation unfortunate.
The fact that a respected religious institution raises concerns about the state of the nation does not, without more, transform that institution into a political opposition organisation.
Neither should criticism of public policy automatically be construed as hostility towards the Government.
Democratic governance necessarily accommodates scrutiny, disagreement and responsible criticism. Indeed, a government that receives candid observations from institutions deeply embedded within society is presented with an additional opportunity to understand the experiences and concerns of the governed.
The CBCN has a long and demonstrable history of engagement with successive administrations. Its interventions on questions of security, poverty, education, healthcare, justice, elections and national unity cannot fairly be reduced to partisan politics merely because particular observations may be inconvenient to the Government of the day.
The Catholic Bishops remain spiritual leaders of millions of Nigerians. In the discharge of their pastoral responsibilities, they cannot reasonably be expected to remain silent when circumstances affecting the lives, dignity and welfare of the people entrusted to their pastoral care call for attention.
6. THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING THE SPACE FOR CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM
Your Excellency, no democracy is weakened by responsible criticism offered in good faith. On the contrary, democratic institutions are strengthened when citizens, professional bodies, religious organisations, civil society institutions and other responsible stakeholders are able to express their concerns without being unnecessarily characterised as adversaries of government.
There is an important distinction between political opposition and constructive civic engagement.
The first may legitimately seek to displace a government through the democratic process. The second seeks to draw the attention of government to matters requiring consideration or correction.
The Bishops’ engagement, properly considered in its entirety, falls within the latter category. The Presidency and the CBCN need not agree upon every issue. Differences of opinion are inevitable in a democratic society.
What is important is that such differences should be managed with mutual respect and with proper regard to the institutions represented by the respective parties.
Government does not diminish itself by listening.
Religious leaders do not become politicians merely because they speak upon the conditions under which their people live.
7. THE POSITION OF THE KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN INTERNATIONAL AND LADIES AUXILIARY, NIGERIA
In the circumstances, the Knights of St. John International and Ladies Auxiliary, Nigeria:
- Express our solidarity with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria in respect of its constitutional, civic and pastoral entitlement to engage the Government on matters affecting the welfare and dignity of Nigerians;
- Express our concern over the characterisation of the Bishops’ intervention in terms which appear to impute partisan political motives to their engagement with the Presidency;
- Affirm our profound respect for the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and for the constitutional institutions through which the affairs of the Federation are administered;
- Affirm the responsibility of the CBCN to speak upon matters concerning the common good, including security, poverty, education, healthcare, justice, democracy, human dignity and the future of Nigeria;
- Respectfully urge the Presidency to distinguish legitimate civic and religious engagement from partisan political opposition;
- Call for sustained and meaningful dialogue between the Federal Government and religious, professional and civic institutions whose experience and nationwide presence enable them to communicate the concerns of citizens;
- Encourage public officials and spokespersons to exercise restraint, circumspection and discernment when responding to legitimate criticism, particularly where such observations proceed from institutions with a longstanding record of service to Nigeria; and
- Call upon all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnicity or religion, to preserve the civility and tolerance upon which our democratic society ultimately depends.
8. CONCLUSION
Your Excellency, Nigeria belongs equally to all Nigerians.
The Catholic Bishops are Nigerians. The Knights and Ladies of St. John International are Nigerians. The millions of Catholic faithful whom the Bishops shepherd are Nigerians. Those who support Your Excellency’s administration are Nigerians.
Those who respectfully question particular policies or draw attention to difficulties experienced by the people are equally Nigerians.
Our differences regarding policies, priorities and methods must never obscure our common citizenship or our collective responsibility for the peace, stability and progress of our country. Patriotism does not require silence in the face of national difficulty. Neither does criticism necessarily signify hostility.
Indeed, responsible leadership and responsible citizenship meet at the point where government is willing to listen and citizens are willing to speak with sincerity, restraint and respect.
Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration.
SIR PETER OSAMGBI
Chairman, KSJI Strategic Communication Committee
Culled from the KSJI Open Letter to Mr. President, published on Page 34 of Vanguard newspaper on 20th August 2026.