The Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has urged the administration of President Bola Tinubu to shift its attention from responding to criticism and concentrate on delivering better governance for Nigerians.

Speaking during an interview on Eagle 102.5 FM in Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, the respected Catholic cleric said the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) had fulfilled its responsibility by speaking truthfully about the country's situation and had no interest in engaging in a public exchange with the Presidency.

His remarks come amid an ongoing back-and-forth between presidential aides and the Catholic bishops following the bishops' recent meeting with President Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, where they raised concerns over Nigeria's economic challenges and worsening security.

Cardinal Onaiyekan dismissed suggestions that the bishops were pursuing a purely Catholic agenda, insisting that their intervention was driven by their moral and spiritual obligation to speak on issues affecting all Nigerians.

"We are done talking. You can govern better. We didn't go there just as Catholic bishops pushing the Catholic agenda. No. We went there as people who are with the spiritual mandate to speak to anybody in the name of God," he said.

The former Archbishop of Abuja maintained that government spokespersons were entitled to defend the administration in whatever manner they considered appropriate, adding that he had no intention of trading words with them.

"That some of the supporters of government and the state and spokesperson may have their own idea about what they think they should be saying on behalf of their principal is their business, not mine," he stated.

Onaiyekan further said he considered the widespread reactions from Nigerians on social media to be sufficient, noting that public opinion had already provided a response to the issues raised by the bishops.

"As for response to the things we are hearing, I don't even have to say anything because the social media is full of response from Nigerian people and that for me is more than enough," he added.