Timi Frank Urges Tinubu to Listen to Catholic Bishops on Economy

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Timi Frank, has praised the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria for their boldness in addressing President Bola Tinubu about the country’s economic and political issues.

Frank said the bishops showed strong leadership by honestly discussing problems like economic hardship and Nigeria’s democratic future. He called on other religious leaders in the country to follow their example.

In a statement released in Abuja on Sunday, the former APC spokesman commended the bishops for “looking the president in the face and telling him the bitter truth about the state of the nation.”

“We commend the Catholic leaders for their courage. We have not seen this kind of courage from religious leaders in Nigeria for a long time. They were brave enough to look the President in the face and tell him the bitter truth,” Frank said.

He urged Tinubu to take the bishops’ advice seriously, saying that acting on their suggestions would help rebuild public trust in his administration.

“The President should heed their advice. By doing so, he will save himself from further embarrassment. These are true leaders, and we expect other religious bodies to follow the example set by the Catholic leaders,” he added.

Frank also challenged Christian and Muslim leaders to speak out more on issues affecting Nigerians instead of only engaging with government officials through prayers and ceremonies.

He believes religious leaders have a duty to hold leaders accountable, especially now when many Nigerians are facing economic struggles and insecurity.

“When they have the opportunity to tell the president the truth, they simply say they are praying for him. But they know the truth. They know the damage that has been done in this country. How long will they continue to sit and pray when they should be speaking the truth?” he asked.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria has a history of discussing national issues with different administrations. They often raise concerns about insecurity, economic hardship, governance, corruption, and the protection of democracy.

In their recent meeting with Tinubu, the bishops reportedly urged the Federal Government to address worsening living conditions, strengthen democratic institutions, and prevent actions that could harm Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

Frank’s comments add to the ongoing public conversation about the economy, governance, and the lead-up to the 2027 general elections. Opposition leaders and civil society groups continue to call for more accountability and independence from the Federal Government.