Senator Orji Kalu has drawn a hard line in the sand: any disrespect from President Bola Tinubu toward the Catholic Church will cost him his membership in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the Abia North senator addressed the growing controversy surrounding the recent meeting between Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
Bishops Were Right, Says Kalu
Kalu firmly defended the bishops’ decision to raise concerns about economic hardship and insecurity during their State House meeting with the president.
“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,” Kalu declared.
The former Abia governor dismissed suggestions that Tinubu had shown disrespect toward the Church, arguing that heated comments from presidential aides shouldn’t be confused with the president’s personal stance.
“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 insisted.
No Apology Needed, Says Senator
When asked about calls for the presidency to apologize to the Catholic Church, Kalu was unequivocal: Tinubu has done nothing warranting an apology.
However, he made his loyalty conditional with a dramatic ultimatum:
“Any day President Tinubu disrespects the opposition, or the Catholic church, I will resign from the APC.”
Kalu: Economy Stabilizing, But Nigerians Still Suffering
The senator defended the administration’s economic reforms, claiming macroeconomic stability is taking shape.
“The exchange rate is stabilising, fuel prices are stabilising, foreign direct investments are coming in and confidence is gradually returning,” he said.
But Kalu admitted the bitter truth: “The microeconomy is not doing well. President Tinubu himself knows Nigerians are suffering.”
He blamed insecurity for preventing farmers from returning to their lands, which would ease food inflation.
2027: Tinubu Unbeatable, Kalu Claims
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Kalu projected confidence in Tinubu’s re-election bid, dismissing opposition unity as a fantasy.
“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 declared.
