Kalu Vows APC Exit If Tinubu Disrespects Catholic Church

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has vowed to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Bola Tinubu ever disrespects the opposition or the Catholic Church, as controversy continues over the President’s meeting with Catholic bishops.

The former governor of Abia State made the statement during an interview on Channels Television, while defending Tinubu over comments linked to a meeting with Catholic leaders.

Kalu said Tinubu had never insulted the Catholic bishops and would not need to apologise over the matter.

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“Any day President Tinubu has disrespect for the opposition, or has disrespect for the Catholic Church, I’d resign from the APC,” Kalu said.

“The President can never insult the Catholic bishop, knowing him. The President didn’t say anything that needs apology. If there is anything wrong the Presidency has done, he should apologise,” he added.

Tinubu Assigns Me Abia APC - Orji Kalu (NewsCentral TV) — President Bola Tinubu and Senator Orji Kalu shaking hands. Credit: Punch Newspapers.

The Abia North lawmaker described Tinubu’s relationship with the Catholic Church as positive, saying the bishops were right to raise concerns with the President during their meeting.

“Tinubu has a good relationship with the Catholic Church. Nothing wrong in what the Catholic bishops said. Tinubu is not an enemy to Catholic bishops, one of their best friends,” Kalu said.

Kalu also questioned whether remarks made by John Cardinal Onaiyekan after the meeting represented the official position of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

He said the discussion between Tinubu and the bishops was a public engagement because cameras were present, adding that Onaiyekan’s comments may reflect his personal views.

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“The discussion the Catholic bishops had with President Tinubu is not personal. They had cameras there, so it’s a public discussion. Onaiyekan did not go with other Catholic bishops. That might be his opinion,” he said.

The controversy followed Onaiyekan’s remarks that the bishops told Tinubu that Nigeria was “bleeding” and that many citizens were facing economic hardship.

Onaiyekan said Tinubu disagreed with the bishops’ assessment of the economy during the meeting.

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