Senator Orji Kalu has said he would leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Bola Tinubu ever showed disrespect to the Catholic Church.
The senator, who represents Abia North, made the statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday while addressing the recent controversy involving President Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
The issue began after a delegation of Catholic bishops, led by Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso, met with the president at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
During the meeting, the bishops expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening economic situation and growing insecurity.
The meeting later sparked public debate after Cardinal John Onaiyekan claimed the president was unhappy with the bishops’ comments.
In response, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy, accused the Catholic Church of supporting the political opposition.
Reacting to the controversy, Kalu defended the bishops, saying they were simply carrying out their responsibility by speaking honestly about the country’s problems.
According to him, the Catholic bishops have always served as the moral voice of the nation.
“The Catholic bishops were right. If they had said anything less than what they said, they would no longer be the conscience of this country,” he said.
Orji Kalu also rejected claims that Tinubu insulted the Church, explaining that statements made by presidential aides should not be taken as the president’s personal views.
“The villa is not President Tinubu. I was a governor and I understand how communication works. President Tinubu has a very good relationship with the Catholic Church,” he said.
The former Abia State governor said Catholic bishops have always spoken the truth to leaders, regardless of which political party is in power, because they are not driven by political interests.
“What politicians cannot tell the president, the Catholic bishops will tell him because they have no political interests to protect,” he added.
Addressing calls for the presidency to apologise to the Church, Orji Kalu said there was no reason for such an apology since Tinubu had not offended the bishops.
He stressed that if the president ever disrespected either the Catholic Church or the political opposition, he would immediately resign his membership of the APC.
“Any day President Tinubu disrespects the opposition, or the Catholic church, I will resign from the APC,” he said.
Kalu also expressed support for the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, saying they have helped improve key economic indicators.
“The macro side of the economy has been stabilised. The exchange rate is stabilising, fuel prices are stabilising, foreign direct investments are coming in and confidence is gradually returning,” he said.
He, however, admitted that many Nigerians are still struggling financially.
“As a businessman, I manufacture goods, and I know the microeconomy is not doing well. President Tinubu himself knows Nigerians are suffering,” he said.
He blamed much of the country’s economic hardship on insecurity, arguing that improved security would allow farmers to return to their farms, increase food production and help reduce food prices.
Looking ahead to the 2027 presidential election, Orji Kalu said he believes Tinubu remains the strongest candidate.
“If they were united, there might be some concern, but they are not. Our party will not allow President Tinubu to lose the election. We will campaign until he wins,” he stated.
KanyiDaily recalls that Orji Kalu recently accused powerful politicians of backing Boko Haram to create chaos and weaken Tinubu’s government.
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