Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has attempted to reconcile two seemingly conflicting positions over the controversy surrounding the Catholic Bishops’ criticism of the Federal Government, defending the bishops’ right to speak truth to power while absolving President Bola Tinubu of any wrongdoing and declaring him the overwhelming favourite for the 2027 presidential election.
The Abia North senator, who only days ago urged the Federal Government to listen to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) rather than attack its message, on Wednesday insisted there was no rift between President Tinubu and the Catholic Church, saying the President had shown the clergy nothing but respect.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Kalu maintained that the bishops were justified in raising concerns over the state of the nation but argued that criticisms directed at presidential aides should not be interpreted as criticisms of Tinubu himself.
“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.”
Yet, in the same breath, he defended the President against demands for an apology to the Church.
“The Villa is not President Tinubu. President Tinubu has a very good relationship with the Catholic Church. If President Tinubu ever disrespects the Catholic Church, I will resign from the APC.”
The remarks represent a noticeable shift in emphasis from Kalu’s earlier intervention, in which he stood firmly behind the bishops and urged the government to heed their warning over worsening insecurity, poverty and governance.
In that earlier statement, Kalu argued that the bishops were reflecting the lived experiences of ordinary Nigerians and cautioned the government against dismissing their message.
“The Catholic Church has always played a vital role in speaking truth to power. Whenever the Catholic Bishops offer advice, it is not out of partisanship but out of genuine concern for the nation.”
He had also warned that political leaders should embrace, rather than resist, constructive criticism.
“Rather than dismissing or attacking their views, the government should listen and reflect on the concerns they have raised.”
However, his latest appearance shifted the narrative from defending the bishops’ criticism to defending the President’s response, insisting that Tinubu should not be blamed for comments made by some of his aides.
Beyond the controversy, Kalu strongly defended the administration’s economic reforms, arguing that while Nigerians continue to endure severe hardship, the government’s macroeconomic policies have begun producing positive results.
He cited relative stability in the foreign exchange market, easing fuel prices and growing investor confidence as evidence that the reforms are laying the foundation for long-term recovery, even as he admitted that businesses and households remain under pressure.
“The macroeconomy has been stabilised. The microeconomy is still suffering, and President Tinubu himself knows Nigerians are going through hardship,” he said.
Kalu attributed the harsh economic realities largely to insecurity, which he said has prevented farmers from returning to their farms and disrupted food production.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, the former Senate Chief Whip expressed confidence that Tinubu remains the strongest political force in the country, insisting the opposition lacks the unity required to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He also argued that the administration’s achievements have not been effectively communicated to Nigerians.
“A lot has been done by this government. We simply have not marketed those achievements well,” he said, scoring the administration 65 per cent and predicting its performance would improve before the next election.
Kalu’s latest comments underscore the delicate political balancing act within the APC—acknowledging the legitimacy of the Catholic bishops’ criticism while vigorously defending the President against accusations of intolerance, and reaffirming his belief that Tinubu remains firmly on course for a second term.