When It Was Time To Deceive Nigerians APC Hired Bishops, Now They're Meeting Original Bishop- Phrank Shaibu -

The meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama, at the State House has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition, specifically from Phrank Shaibu, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The encounter in the Federal Capital Territory occurred amid heightened international scrutiny on Nigeria, which follows the designation of the nation as a Country of Particular Concern by President Donald Trump of the United States over alleged Christian persecution.

This high-profile diplomatic development has pressured the Nigerian government to demonstrate its commitment to religious harmony and national unity.

In a statement shared on his official X account, Phrank Shaibu immediately cast the presidential meeting as a calculated move aimed purely at managing the country’s image on the global stage. He suggested the engagement was a reactive attempt to “clean the image” following the critical comments and threats emanating from the US President. His commentary referenced a previous controversy involving the ruling party, where he alleged that “hired bishops” were assembled for photo opportunities, drawing a stark contrast with the current meeting with a prominent and legitimate religious leader.

The senior aide’s remarks underscore the deep political divide and the atmosphere of suspicion surrounding the government’s actions, particularly in the realm of interfaith relations. By characterizing the meeting as a rush to meet the “original Archbishop” for purely public relations reasons, Shaibu accused the administration of prioritizing perception over genuine action on the complex issues of security and religious freedom. His comments indicate a strong belief that the President is seeking to use the respected figure of the Archbishop to counter the negative narrative that has been gaining traction internationally.

The insinuation of political opportunism highlights the sensitivity of the issues at play. The government, on its part, has consistently denied the claims of religious bias in the violence plaguing parts of the country, arguing that insecurity affects both Christians and Muslims.

However, the timing of President Tinubu’s audience with the Catholic Archbishop, coming immediately after the US designation and the threat of sanctions, provides fodder for the opposition’s narrative that the administration is primarily motivated by external diplomatic pressures rather than an internal commitment to lasting peace.⁴ This exchange further solidifies the role of social media as the immediate battleground for political point-scoring and public perception wars.<Continue Reading More News>