Kalu Threatens to Quit APC if Tinubu Disrespects Catholic Church

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has said he would resign from the All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Bola Tinubu ever disrespected either the opposition or the Catholic Church.

Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District in the Senate, made the statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday. His comments came amid the controversy surrounding President Tinubu’s meeting with Catholic bishops and remarks later made by John Cardinal Onaiyekan.

The former Abia State governor defended the President, insisting that Tinubu did not insult the Catholic bishops and therefore had no reason to apologise. He said he knew the President well enough to believe he would not act disrespectfully toward the Catholic Church.

Kalu stated that if the Presidency had done anything wrong, an apology would be appropriate, but maintained that nothing said by Tinubu during the engagement required one.

He also described Tinubu as a long-time friend of the Catholic Church, adding that there was nothing unusual about the bishops expressing their concerns directly to the President during the meeting.

According to Kalu, the discussions between the bishops and Tinubu were held publicly with cameras present, making the interaction open rather than secret. He added that Cardinal Onaiyekan’s remarks after the meeting should not automatically be regarded as the official position of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

The senator explained that the communiqué issued after the meeting was presented by the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, while individual cardinals and archbishops remained free to express their personal opinions.

The controversy followed comments by Cardinal Onaiyekan, who told journalists that the bishops informed President Tinubu that Nigeria was facing serious challenges and that many citizens were struggling with severe economic hardship.

According to Onaiyekan, the President responded by saying he disagreed with the bishops’ assessment of the country’s economic situation.