‘I’ll Quit APC If Tinubu Disrespects the Catholic Church’ — Orji Kalu

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has declared that he would resign from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Bola Tinubu ever disrespects the Catholic Church, even as he defended the church’s right to speak out on national issues.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the senator representing Abia North addressed the controversy surrounding the recent meeting between President Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

The bishops, led by Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso, met with the president last week at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where they raised concerns over the country’s worsening economic hardship and insecurity.

The meeting later sparked public debate after Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the former Archbishop of Abuja, suggested that President Tinubu was displeased with the bishops’ remarks. The controversy deepened when presidential adviser Daniel Bwala accused the Catholic Church of siding with the political opposition.

Reacting to the development, Kalu firmly defended the bishops, saying they had fulfilled their moral responsibility by speaking honestly about the challenges facing Nigerians.

“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.

However, the former Abia State governor rejected suggestions that President Tinubu had personally insulted the Catholic Church.

According to him, comments made by presidential aides should not automatically be interpreted as the president’s official position.

“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,” Kalu stated.

He noted that Catholic bishops have always maintained the tradition of speaking truth to those in power regardless of which political party is in government.

“What politicians cannot tell the president, the Catholic bishops will tell him because they have no political interests to protect,” he added.

Despite defending the president, Kalu made it clear that he would not remain in the APC if Tinubu ever showed disrespect toward the Catholic Church.

“Any day President Tinubu disrespects the opposition, or the Catholic Church, I will resign from the APC,” the senator declared.

Kalu Backs Tinubu’s Economic Reforms

On the economy, Kalu defended the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, arguing that the government has made progress in stabilising key macroeconomic indicators.

He pointed to improvements in exchange rate stability, fuel prices, foreign direct investment and investor confidence.

At the same time, the senator acknowledged that many Nigerians are yet to experience the benefits of those reforms.

“As a businessman, I manufacture goods, and I know the microeconomy is not doing well. President Tinubu himself knows Nigerians are suffering,” he said.

Kalu attributed much of the hardship to insecurity, arguing that restoring peace would enable farmers to return to their farms, increase food production and help bring down food prices.

While reaffirming his support for President Tinubu, the senator stressed that respect for democratic institutions, opposition voices and religious bodies remains essential to national unity and good governance.