Timi Frank Hails Catholic Bishops for Challenging Tinubu, Warns Against 'Silence in the Pulpit'

"The bishops deserved commendation for speaking candidly to the President on issues affecting Nigerians." Frank

.... Urges other Christian and Muslim religious leaders to emulate their example by holding government accountable.

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Comrade Timi Frank, has praised the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) for what he described as its courage in confronting President Bola Tinubu with the country's economic realities and warning against the dangers of a one-party state.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Frank said the bishops deserved commendation for speaking candidly to the President on issues affecting Nigerians, urging other Christian and Muslim religious leaders to emulate their example by holding government accountable.

According to him, the Catholic bishops demonstrated rare courage by "looking the President in the face" and telling him what he called the bitter truth about the nation's condition.

He urged President Tinubu to heed the bishops' advice, arguing that doing so would help him avoid further public criticism and demonstrate responsiveness to the concerns of Nigerians.

Frank, however, criticised some religious leaders, particularly within the Pentecostal community, alleging that they often fail to speak frankly after meeting with the President. He claimed that rather than confronting the government on pressing national issues, some limit themselves to offering prayers while avoiding difficult conversations.

The former APC spokesman maintained that religious leaders have a moral responsibility to speak out against policies and conditions they believe are detrimental to the country instead of remaining silent.

He also launched a broad criticism of the Tinubu administration, alleging that corruption, insecurity, poverty and unemployment had worsened under the current government. He further accused the administration of weakening democratic institutions and undermining opposition political parties.

Frank alleged that the government was positioning itself to influence the 2027 general elections, insisting that the President should instead focus on guaranteeing a free, fair and credible electoral process while respecting the independence of democratic institutions and the judiciary.

Calling on faith leaders across religious divides to take a more active role in national discourse, Frank urged them to emulate the Catholic bishops by speaking truth to power whenever opportunities arise.

He maintained that religious leaders should openly challenge government policies they consider harmful to Nigerians, stressing that the country's current challenges require courageous voices willing to demand accountability from those in authority.