Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Kalu, has said he would leave the All Progressives Congress if President Bola Tinubu ever disrespects the Catholic bishops or members of the opposition.
The former Senate Chief Whip made the declaration on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he rejected allegations that the President had insulted the Catholic Church amid the recent controversy surrounding comments by Catholic leaders on Nigeria’s situation.
Kalu maintained that President Tinubu enjoys a cordial relationship with the Catholic Church and argued that the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has historically served as the conscience of the nation.
He stressed that the bishops’ observations on national issues should not be interpreted as hostility towards the government.
He said, “Tinubu did not insult the Catholic Church. This is not the first time the Catholic Church has gone to President Tinubu. In every country, from DRC, Angola to South Africa, and anywhere, the Catholic and other churches are always the conscience of the country.
“I do not see anything wrong in what the Catholic bishops said. Since the military rule, the Catholic Bishops Conference hold its conference every year, where they talk and issue a statement about the state of the nation.
“For me, Tinubu is not an enemy to the Catholic bishops. The President has a very good relationship with the Catholic Church. Anytime they asked for an audience, he has given it to them because any president dodging Catholic bishops is dodging himself. What politicians cannot tell the president, the Catholic bishops will say it.
“It is not true. If you hear him well, he said we will have a fair contest, and he will not touch anybody. Any day President Tinubu disrespects the opposition or Catholic bishops, I will resign from the APC.”
The controversy emerged after recent exchanges between the Presidency and Cardinal John Onaiyekan. The cleric had recounted a meeting with President Tinubu, during which he said he raised concerns over the country’s worsening economic hardship and insecurity.
Following the Cardinal’s remarks, presidential aides publicly disputed aspects of his account, prompting criticism from sections of the Christian community, who viewed the responses as disrespectful to both Cardinal Onaiyekan and the Catholic Church.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general election, Kalu expressed confidence that President Tinubu would secure a second term in office. He argued that although Nigerians continue to grapple with economic challenges, the administration’s achievements have not been effectively communicated to the public.
According to the senator, the APC has fallen short in showcasing the government’s progress in infrastructure development, security and economic reforms.
He added, “A lot has been done by this government. We simply have not marketed those achievements well.”
Assessing the administration’s performance, Kalu estimated that President Tinubu had delivered about 65 per cent of his agenda, while expressing optimism that the figure would rise in the coming months.
“On a scale of 100, President Tinubu has done about 65 per cent. By September or October, that performance will be close to 70 per cent”, he said.
Kalu also dismissed the opposition as too divided to present a formidable challenge to the ruling APC in the 2027 elections.
