Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja, Nigeria, arrives for a consistory in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in this June 28, 2017, file photo. In a speech in Rome Jan. 8, Cardinal Onaiyekan said he doesn't want to find a moderate Muslim to dialogue with, but one who is convinced of his faith. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) See VATICAN-LETTER-DIALOGUE Jan. 11, 2018.

Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has called on President Bola Tinubu to stop rewarding party loyalists with high political positions and instead focus on serving all Nigerians equally.

Speaking on Channels Television’s programme on Sunday, Cardinal Onaiyekan criticized the practice of appointing individuals to key roles based on political loyalty rather than merit, suggesting it was not the best approach for the country’s progress.

The cleric urged President Tinubu to shift from campaign mode and embrace the responsibilities of true governance. He reminded the president that, as the leader of Nigeria, he must serve every part of the country, regardless of the electorate’s political preferences during the elections.

“If God puts you there, you must know that He is watching you and will hold you accountable for what you do with that power,” Cardinal Onaiyekan said, adding that the president must ensure fairness and justice in his administration.