NIGERIA— Lawyer and public affairs commentator Ekene Aninze has questioned the independence of Bishop Stephen Adegbite’s recent public defence of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that Adegbite’s government appointments should be considered when assessing his interventions.
Aninze said he was initially surprised by what he described as the “high-handedness” of Adegbite’s comments, particularly in relation to a matter he considered supported by obvious facts.
He said his view changed after confirming that Adegbite is a Methodist bishop rather than a Catholic bishop.
“When I heard him speak, I knew it immediately that there is no Catholic Bishop that will speak with so much high-handedness in denial of a matter where the facts are so obvious,” Aninze said.
“But when I double-checked and realised that he is a Methodist Bishop, I just chilled.”
Aninze stressed that his comments were not intended to disparage members of the Methodist Church.
He argued instead that Adegbite should be assessed partly in light of his official relationship with the Tinubu administration.
According to Aninze, Adegbite is not fundamentally different, in terms of his relationship with government, from other prominent political communicators such as Daniel Bwala, Reno Omokri and Bayo Onanuga, whom he described as supporters or defenders of the administration.
“Why? They all enjoy the same appointment from President Tinubu,” Aninze said.
He argued that government appointees have a responsibility to protect the interests of the administration under which they serve.
“So, it is their duty to protect the interest of the man they work for,” he said.
Aninze added that he did not fault Adegbite for defending the administration, but objected to what he described as an attempt to use his position as a member of the clergy to influence the interpretation of political issues.
“I do not fault him for that, except for hiding under the clergy robe to change the narrative of truth,” he said.
Aninze specifically drew a comparison between Adegbite and Daniel Bwala, who serves as Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communications.
He noted that Adegbite serves as Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission and Chaplain of the Aso Rock Villa Chapel, positions he said were appointed by President Tinubu.
“Outside the red robe that Bishop Stephen Adegbite wore to that interview, the only difference between Stephen Adegbite and Daniel Bwala is this,” Aninze said.
“While Daniel Bwala is a Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria on Media and Policy Communications, Bishop Stephen Adegbite is the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission and the Chaplain of the Aso Rock Villa Chapel, all appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The lawyer urged Nigerians to distinguish between Adegbite’s clerical identity and his official responsibilities when evaluating his public statements on the Tinubu administration.
He said the bishop’s religious title should not prevent Nigerians from scrutinising his position as a government appointee.
“So, look beyond the robe he wears and rate him on the same pedestal with Daniel Bwala as a political appointee who is defending the administration that appointed him to serve,” Aninze said.
“Do not allow the robe to make you forget the office behind the man wearing it.”
Aninze’s comments come amid growing public debate over the positions taken by Christian leaders regarding the performance of the Tinubu administration, including criticism and defence of the government’s handling of security, economic and social challenges.
He signed off the statement as Ekene Aninze, Esq.
