Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has stated that his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would come to an end if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ever shows disrespect toward opposition figures or the Catholic Church.
The lawmaker, who represents Abia North Senatorial District and previously served as governor of Abia State, made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.
Kalu dismissed claims that the President insulted Catholic bishops during his recent engagement with leaders of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), insisting that no offensive comments were made and that there was no justification for an apology.
He expressed confidence in Tinubu’s relationship with the Church, saying the President has always treated Catholic leaders with dignity and respect. According to him, he would only reconsider his place in the ruling party if the President abandoned those values.
The senator added that while every government should accept responsibility for genuine mistakes, he has not seen any action by the Presidency in this instance that requires a public apology.
Kalu also described Tinubu as someone who has maintained a long-standing friendship with the Catholic community, noting that bishops are able to raise national concerns directly with the President because of the mutual respect that exists between both sides.
Speaking on the reactions generated by the meeting, Kalu argued that the comments made by Cardinal John Onaiyekan should not automatically be regarded as the official position of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference. He explained that the gathering was conducted openly with media coverage and that the conference president officially delivered the communiqué after the discussions.
He maintained that cardinals, bishops and archbishops are entitled to express personal opinions, which may differ from the collective resolutions adopted by the conference.
Public debate intensified after Cardinal Onaiyekan revealed that Catholic bishops used the meeting to inform President Tinubu that many Nigerians were experiencing worsening economic hardship and that the nation was facing serious challenges. He also expressed concerns over the credibility of the 2027 general elections and the need to strengthen confidence in the electoral process.
The Cardinal’s remarks drew criticism from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who accused him of allowing political considerations to influence his comments about the Tinubu administration.
In contrast, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi defended the cleric, saying his observations reflected the realities confronting millions of Nigerians. They urged the Federal Government to prioritise solutions to insecurity, corruption and the rising cost of living instead of attacking those who speak out.
During the same meeting with the bishops, President Tinubu rejected allegations that his administration was suppressing political opponents. He also declared that he remains ready for future electoral contests, stressing that democratic competition should take place on a level playing field rather than through special treatment for any political rival.
