'I Was Pronounced Guilty': Archbishop Kaigama Condemns Online Bullying After Meeting President Tinubu Amid Security Crisis
Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Nigeria, has publicly lamented what he termed "irresponsible and unjust online bullying" following his recent private meeting with President Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu. The Archbishop’s November 4 visit to the Presidential Villa occurred during a period of heightened kidnappings and attacks targeting Christians in the West African nation, fueling intense backlash on social media.
Speaking during his Sunday, November 30, homily at the Catholic Church of Assumption in Abuja, Archbishop Kaigama strongly criticised social media users who, he said, had hastily condemned him without seeking any facts about his discussions with the head of state.
“From nowhere, I was pronounced guilty by some users of the social media as one who does not care or condemn the fact that Christians are being killed in Nigeria,” Archbishop Kaigama recounted. He clarified that his singular "offense" was the visit itself, leading to accusations of indifference towards the ongoing violence.
The Archbishop expressed profound frustration that his reputation was maligned, stating, “They never asked me what we discussed, but just concluded and, without any evidence, pronounced me guilty of backing the government and not defending the Christians.” He further noted that a Facebook user had encapsulated the sentiment by writing, “People want safety, not statements. Justice, not diplomatic grammar. Lives protected, not explained away.”
In defense of his actions, Archbishop Kaigama disclosed that his meeting with President Tinubu was not a one-off political gesture but part of his pastoral duty. He revealed that he has sought a private audience with the President on three separate occasions over the past two years whenever issues deeply affecting Nigerians required his personal intervention as the spiritual leader of the Abuja Archdiocese. “Our conversation has been very private, and my suggestions to him are also private, and God knows it is for the good of the country,” he affirmed.
The Archbishop underscored that his long-standing track record of service contradicts the negative online allegations. For 44 years as a priest, he said, he has consistently stood with and worked for the poor, condemned injustice, opposed the taking of human life, and called civil authorities to task on behalf of the jobless youths. He highlighted his extensive leadership roles in human rights advocacy, including serving twice as President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and as President of the Catholic Bishops of the entire West African region.
“I know what I did in defence of life,” he asserted, recalling his almost two decades of work in Jos during periods of intense conflict. He also referenced a paper he presented at the United Nations in 2019 on "Religious freedom: a new era for advocacy in response to a new age of challenges and threats," where he focused specifically on Nigeria and the needless killings perpetrated by religious fundamentalists.
While stating that he forgives those who are unaware of his work, Archbishop Kaigama issued a stern warning to those who misuse social media for malicious purposes. He cautioned them to “Be careful. You will get into trouble someday when the law of defamation of character is pursued by those injured by your uncharitable and unedifying comments.”
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