Tinubu didn’t insult Catholic bishops; he’s one of their best friends — Orji Kalu
Senator Kalu Defends President Tinubu Amid Controversy Over Catholic Church Meeting
ABUJA — Orji Uzor Kalu, the senator representing Abia North, has come to the defense of President Bola Tinubu regarding accusations of disrespect toward the Catholic Church. Kalu emphasized that Tinubu maintains a positive relationship with Catholic bishops and has consistently kept an open-door policy with them.
Kalu’s remarks came during a Wednesday appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he responded to backlash following a recent meeting between Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN). The meeting sparked controversy after African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi claimed Tinubu insulted the bishops during their discussion.
In response to these allegations, Kalu firmly asserted that no disrespect was shown to the Church. “This is not the first time that the Catholic Church is going to President Tinubu,” he stated, adding that the Church has historically played a significant role in national dialogue.
He noted that the concerns voiced after the meeting align with the tradition of the CBCN, which has routinely commented on issues of national importance since the era of military governance. Kalu highlighted that discussions raised by Archbishop Danagoro of Kaduna State, the current president of the CBCN, should not be misunderstood as disrespect.
Kalu elaborated on the longstanding practice of the CBCN in issuing statements regarding national matters, saying, “Since the military rule, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference has held its conference every year to discuss the state of the nation.”
He further asserted that Tinubu should not be seen as an adversary to the Catholic Church. “For me, Tinubu is not an enemy to the Catholic bishops; he’s one of their best friends,” Kalu said. He expressed confidence that Tinubu did not insult the bishops during their interaction.
Highlighting the rapport between the presidency and the Church, Kalu remarked that Tinubu has consistently accommodated requests for meetings from Catholic leaders. “President Tinubu has a very good relationship with the Catholic Church. Anytime they have asked for an audience, he has granted it,” he noted. Kalu concluded that avoiding meetings with Catholic bishops would ultimately be detrimental for any president, as they often address concerns that other political figures may hesitate to convey.
