Senator Orji Kalu, representing Abia North, has issued a stark warning: he will resign from the All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Bola Tinubu ever personally disrespects the Catholic Church. The declaration came during a live appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today programme on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
The senator's remarks add fuel to an ongoing national controversy sparked by President Tinubu's recent meeting with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the State House in Abuja. The bishops, led by Matthew Ndagoso, used the audience to voice concerns over economic hardship and escalating insecurity across Nigeria.
Bishops' Right to Speak Defended
Kalu firmly backed the bishops' decision to address national issues, calling the Catholic Church the conscience of the country. He stated, "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."
However, the former Abia State governor stopped short of blaming Tinubu directly for the ensuing controversy. He argued that comments from presidential aides do not necessarily reflect 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," Kalu explained.
The controversy began after Cardinal John Onaiyekan, former Archbishop of Abuja, suggested that the president was displeased with the bishops' message. Presidential Special Adviser on Media and Policy, Daniel Bwala, escalated the situation by accusing the Catholic Church of supporting the opposition.
No Apology Needed, Says Kalu
Kalu pushed back against calls for a presidential apology, asserting that Tinubu himself had done nothing to warrant one. Nevertheless, he set a clear condition for his continued membership in the ruling party. "Any day President Tinubu disrespects the opposition, or the Catholic Church, I will resign from the APC," he threatened.
His remarks highlight the delicate balance between loyalty to the president and respect for influential institutions like the Catholic Church, which plays a significant role in Nigeria's social and moral fabric.
Economy: Macro Gains, Micro Pain
Turning to Nigeria's economy, Kalu acknowledged that ordinary citizens have yet to feel the benefits of the Tinubu administration's reforms, despite progress at the macroeconomic level. "The macro side of the economy has been stabilised. The exchange rate is stabilising, fuel prices are stabilising, foreign direct investments are coming in and confidence is gradually returning," he said.
As a businessman who manufactures goods, Kalu admitted the grassroots picture remains grim. "As a businessman, I manufacture goods, and I know the microeconomy is not doing well. President Tinubu himself knows Nigerians are suffering," he added.
He attributed much of the microeconomic pressure to security challenges, arguing that improved safety would enable farmers to return to their fields, thereby reducing food prices.
2027 Election Outlook
In related remarks reported earlier, Kalu declared that President Tinubu remains the clear favourite to win the 2027 presidential election, asserting that the APC leader has no credible challenger. Speaking at an APC stakeholders' meeting in Abia State, the former governor insisted the ruling party would retain power, dismissing the opposition's ability to unseat the president.
These statements underscore Kalu's dual role as a loyal party man and a vocal advocate for institutional respect, particularly towards the Catholic Church. His threat to quit the APC, conditional on presidential disrespect, adds a new dimension to the ongoing political discourse in Nigeria.
