ABUJA — Human rights activist and law professor, Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, has strongly condemned the Presidency’s hostile response to criticism from the former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, describing the decision to deploy presidential spokespersons and aides against the cleric as a grave political misstep. “I do not understand whose idea it was for the Presidency to send attack dogs after Cardinal Onaiyekan,” Odinkalu stated. In response, presidential aides and government loyalists launched aggressive counter-attacks, accusing the cardinal of partisan bias and selective activism. Odinkalu noted that attacking high-profile moral authorities rather than constructively addressing the systemic issues they highlight only serves to alienate the public and undermine government credibility. He warned that attempt by state officials to intimidate critical voices—especially respected religious figures—reflects poor political strategy and institutional intolerance.