I’ll quit APC if Tinubu disrespects Catholic bishops — Kalu

Senator Orji Kalu, representing Abia North, declared he would resign from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Bola Tinubu disrespects Catholic bishops or the opposition. Kalu, a former Chief Whip of the Senate, made this assertion during an appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today.

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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.

He specifically addressed claims that President Tinubu had insulted the Catholic Church amid recent controversies surrounding remarks by Catholic leaders about Nigeria's national condition. Kalu insisted that Tinubu maintains a cordial relationship with the Catholic Church. He described the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria as the nation's conscience, whose views should not be misinterpreted as hostility toward the government.

"Tinubu did not insult the Catholic Church," Kalu stated. "This is not the first time the Catholic Church has gone to President Tinubu. In every country... the Catholic and other churches are always the conscience of the country." He added that he saw nothing wrong with the bishops' statements, noting that the conference annually issues statements on the state of the nation, a practice dating back to military rule. "For me, Tinubu is not an enemy to the Catholic bishops. The President has a very good relationship with the Catholic Church," he asserted.

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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.

The senator emphasized that any president who avoids engagement with Catholic bishops is essentially avoiding self-reflection, as these leaders often articulate concerns that politicians might hesitate to voice directly to the president. He reiterated his commitment, stating, "Any day President Tinubu disrespects the opposition or Catholic bishops, I will resign from the APC."

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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.

Kalu also shared his confidence in Tinubu securing a second term in the 2027 general election. He argued that the administration's accomplishments in infrastructure, security, and economic reforms have not been effectively communicated to Nigerians, despite the ongoing economic challenges. He suggested the APC has struggled to market the government's successes adequately.

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Any day President Tinubu disrespects the opposition or Catholic bishops, I will resign from the APC.