The Northern Christian Association (NCA) has thrown its weight behind the Catholic Bishops following their recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu, accusing the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Daniel Bwala, of promoting divisive politics capable of undermining Christian unity.

The association said the bishops spoke not only on behalf of Catholics but also on issues affecting Christians and Nigerians generally, insisting that their message was driven by national interest, humanity and good governance.

In a statement issued on Sunday, NCA Chairman, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, said the association would not allow anyone to sow division within the Christian community for political reasons.

Hayab noted that the NCA comprises members from major Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church, Baptist, ECWA, Methodist, Anglican and Pentecostal churches.

“We should tell Bwala to know that Catholics are Christians and Nigerians. Our members are Catholics, Baptist, ECWA, Methodist, Anglican, Pentecostals and people of all denominations. We refuse to be divided by Bwala’s politics of division,” he said.

He maintained that the Cardinal and the Catholic Bishops who met with President Tinubu deserved respect, stressing that their engagement with the President focused on issues affecting humanity, Christians and the welfare of all Nigerians rather than the Catholic Church alone.

“Our Cardinal is our respected leader and the Bishops that visited the President went to speak to him about humanity, Christians and all of us, not only Catholics,” Hayab stated.

The NCA chairman described it as shameful and a disservice to President Tinubu for his spokesperson to, in his view, disrespect the Cardinal, arguing that the bishops offered sincere counsel intended to help the President succeed and improve governance.

“It is, therefore, shameful and a disservice to Tinubu for his spokesperson to disrespect our Cardinal. An honest counsel has been given to Mr. President for his own good and for a better Nigeria,” he added.

Hayab further warned that government officials who resort to propaganda instead of addressing citizens’ genuine concerns were doing more harm than good to the country.

According to him, public office holders who ignore the realities confronting Nigerians in pursuit of political interests should be regarded as contributing to the nation’s problems rather than helping to resolve them.

“Any voice of greed, propaganda or disconnect with the citizens by any government appointee like Bwala should be seen as those destroying the country for their selfish interest, not minding the larger population,” he said.

He cautioned that unless Nigeria’s challenges were addressed, all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, would bear the consequences.

“Sadly for people like Bwala, if things do not improve, we shall all suffer together and live to see our country not growing as it should be,” he said.

Hayab reaffirmed the association’s confidence in the Catholic Bishops, describing them as patriotic leaders whose intervention was motivated by genuine concern for both President Tinubu and the country.

“The NCA knows that our Catholic Bishops mean well and love the President and the country more than those insulting their honest counsel,” he said.

The association urged political office holders to focus on the substance of concerns raised by religious leaders and other stakeholders rather than making comments capable of creating unnecessary divisions among Nigerians.