‘This Is A Country Where Certificates Are Forged And It Is Okay’ – Cardinal Onaiyekan Laments

Bishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, on Saturday, reacted to the controversy around the certificates of politicians in the country.

The Cardinal while addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Jesuit Memorial College, lamented that certificates are been forged in the country and it is seen as okay.

The cleric called on Nigerians to refuse the situation where elections are rigged and others are told to go to the court.

He said, “We should refuse to agree that this is a country where certificates are forged and it is okay. We should refuse to accept a situation where elections are rigged and you are told to go to court. These things have consequences. Jesus says you shall know the truth and the truth will make you free. Accept that they have a very heavy trust deficit.

“Nothing wrong with admitting did not go so well. If we don’t tell the truth, we will not move forward.

“I am a religious person and I keep praying to God to forgive us and to show us the truth because if we tell the truth, things will move fast. Nigerians are wonderful and I still hope that things will move fast.”

While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 2023 presidential election and the opposition is challenging his win in the court, the clergyman maintains truth should prevail.

He added, “Whatever the judges may decide, whatever courts may say, at the end of the day, the truth will make us free.”