The Archbishop of the Enugu Ecclesiastical Province of the Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Sosthenes Eze, has sharply criticized Presidential Adviser on Media and Policy Communication Daniel Bwala over his response to comments made by Cardinal John Onaiyekan following a meeting between the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during an interview from 4:32 on Afia TV on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, Archbishop Eze dismissed Bwala’s rebuttal as politically motivated, accusing the presidential spokesman of prioritizing personal political interests over the concerns of ordinary Nigerians.
Bwala had argued that Cardinal Onaiyekan was expressing the views of the Catholic Church rather than those of the entire Christian community after the cardinal spoke about the country’s economic challenges, insecurity and governance following the bishops’ meeting with President Tinubu.
Reacting to the development, Archbishop Eze rejected Bwala’s position, insisting that the cardinal’s comments reflected the realities confronting Nigerians regardless of religious affiliation.
According to the Anglican cleric, Bwala’s intervention was driven by politics rather than a genuine assessment of the issues raised by the Catholic bishops.
“So he was purely political, and, as usual, for his ‘stomach infrastructure’—he wants to keep his job, and he thinks he’s pleasing the president,” Eze said.
The archbishop further described such officials as sycophants whose actions, in his view, prevent political leaders from receiving honest feedback about the country’s condition.
He maintained that the concerns highlighted by Cardinal Onaiyekan including economic hardship and insecurity, were national issues affecting all Nigerians and should not be reduced to denominational or partisan debates.
Eze argued that instead of attacking religious leaders who raise concerns about governance, public officials should focus on addressing the challenges they identify, saying constructive criticism is necessary for national development.
The Anglican leader’s remarks add to the growing public debate sparked by the exchange between presidential aides and senior Christian clerics over the CBCN’s assessment of the state of the nation after its engagement with President Tinubu.