Senator Kalu Sparks Reactions: ‘Bishops Will Tell Tinubu The Truth Even If Politicians Won’t

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, has said political officeholders often present an overly positive picture of Nigeria’s situation to President Bola Tinubu, while insisting that Catholic bishops are more likely to speak candidly about the country’s realities.

Kalu made the remarks amid reactions to comments by the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, who recently disclosed that President Tinubu disagreed with the Catholic bishops’ assessment of the state of the nation.

Speaking in a video circulating online, the former Abia State governor accused some politicians of shielding the President from the true state of the country’s economy and security challenges.

He described the Catholic bishops as the nation’s conscience, saying their observations are guided by the national interest rather than partisan considerations.

Kalu acknowledged that many Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship and insecurity but argued that the current challenges should not be blamed solely on President Tinubu.

According to him, the bishops’ engagement with the President provides an opportunity for honest feedback that could encourage the administration to intensify efforts to address the country’s problems.

“The Catholic bishops are the conscience of the country and once they give advice, their advice is not for or against, it’s just for any sitting President to see things the way it should be.

“The Catholic bishops are aware of the situation in the country. There are real difficulties in Nigeria, but they are not President Tinubu’s fault.

“The Catholic bishops’ visit to President Tinubu is a good one, I support it because they are telling him the way it is.

“It promotes the President to work harder because the Catholic bishops are just telling him the way it is. Even if politicians are lying to him that things are good everywhere, they can never say that.

“Even if we politicians can lie to him, the bishops will tell him the truth about the current reality of the country.”