Lawyer and public affairs commentator, Ekene Aninze, has drawn a comparison between Methodist Bishop Stephen Adegbite and presidential appointees such as Daniel Bwala, arguing that Nigerians should consider the bishop’s official roles when assessing his public interventions.
Aninze made the assertion in a post on his X account on Sunday while reacting to comments attributed to Adegbite, whom he criticised for what he described as a high-handed defence of a position with which he disagreed.
“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 wrote.
“But when I double-checked and realised that he is a Methodist Bishop, I just chilled.”
He, however, clarified that his remarks were not intended as an attack on Methodists.
“This is not to cast aspersions on true worshippers of the Methodist Church Nigeria please,” he added.
Aninze subsequently compared Adegbite with Bwala, Reno Omokri and Bayo Onanuga, arguing that their perceived proximity to the administration should be considered when evaluating their public statements.
“Bishop Stephen Adegbite is not different from Daniel Bwala, Reno or Bayo,” he said.
“Why?
“They all enjoy the same appointment from President Tinubu.
“So, it is their duty to protect the interest of the man they work for.”
Focusing on Adegbite’s official positions, Aninze referenced his role as Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission and his position as Chaplain of the Aso Rock Villa Chapel.
He contrasted those roles with Bwala’s position as Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Policy Communications.
“Outside the red robe that Bishop Stephen Adegbite wore to that interview, the only difference between Stephen Adegbite and Daniel Bwala is this:
“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.
Aninze urged Nigerians to look beyond Adegbite’s clerical identity and consider the offices he occupies when assessing his interventions.
“So, look beyond the robe he wears and rate him on the same pedestal with Daniel Bwala and others.
“Do not allow the robe to make you forget the office behind the man wearing it,” he concluded.
