I’ll resign from APC if Tinubu disrespects Catholic Church- Senator Orji

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu says he would resign from the All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Bola Tinubu disrespects the Catholic Church.

Kalu stated this while featuring on Channels Television amid controversy over the recent meeting between President Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

The leadership of the CBCN, led by Matthew Ndagoso, had last week met with the president at the State House in Abuja, where the bishops expressed concerns over the economic hardship and insecurity confronting Nigerians. The meeting subsequently generated controversy after Cardinal John Onaiyekan, former archbishop of Abuja, said the President was unhappy with the message delivered by the bishops during the meeting.

Special adviser to the president on media and policy, Daniel Bwala, also accused the Catholic Church of supporting the opposition.

Reacting to the controversy, Kalu backed the bishops’ decision to speak on the state of the nation, saying religious leaders have a responsibility to raise concerns affecting Nigerians.

“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,” Kalu said

The former Abia State governor, however, rejected claims that President Tinubu had disrespected the Catholic Church, saying statements made by presidential aides should not automatically be regarded as the president’s position.

“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,” he said.

He, however, said he would leave the ruling party if the president ever disrespected the church.

“Any day President Tinubu disrespects the opposition, or the Catholic church, I will resign from the APC,” Kalu said