Orji Kalu has described the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) as the “conscience of the country”, urging President Bola Tinubu to carefully consider the concerns recently raised by the clerics instead of viewing them as political criticism.
The senator representing Abia North made the remarks in a video posted on his Facebook page while reacting to the recent meeting between President Tinubu and the leadership of the CBCN at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, as well as the public debate that followed.
During the meeting last Tuesday, the bishops, led by CBCN President Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso, expressed concerns over worsening economic hardship, insecurity and the general state of the nation. President Tinubu defended his administration’s reforms, saying the economy was gradually stabilising, prolonged university strikes had ended and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remained impartial.
The meeting later generated controversy after Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, said on Arise Television that the President appeared unhappy with the bishops’ message that Nigeria was “bleeding” and that worsening economic conditions were taking a heavy toll on ordinary citizens.
Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala rejected Onaiyekan’s remarks, arguing that they did not reflect the views of all Christians and alleging that the Catholic Church was backing the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for the 2027 election.
Reacting, Kalu insisted that the bishops were performing their moral duty by speaking truthfully about the country’s challenges.
“To me, the Catholic Bishops are the conscience of the country. And once they give advice, their advice is not for or against,” he said.
“Their advice is just for any sitting president, any sitting leader, to see things the way it should be.”
Kalu acknowledged that Nigerians were facing genuine economic hardship but argued that the situation could not be blamed solely on the Tinubu administration.
“There’s difficulty in Nigeria, there’s no doubt. And it’s not the fault of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
According to the senator, the government has made progress in managing the macroeconomy, although many Nigerians have yet to experience improvements in their daily lives.
“We have been able to capture the macro-economy, and the micro is what we are having problems [with], as I’ve always told people,” he added.
Kalu maintained that the bishops’ intervention should be seen as constructive, stressing that unlike politicians, religious leaders have a responsibility to speak honestly.
“Even if we politicians are lying to him and say things are good everywhere, the Catholic bishops can never say that. And that’s why they are Catholic bishops.”
He also clarified that Cardinal John Onaiyekan is not the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, urging the public to avoid confusing his position with the conference’s leadership.
Kalu called on officials within the Tinubu administration to study the bishops’ observations carefully and use them to improve governance.
“It’s left for us who work with President Tinubu to take back to our rooms and analyse what they say and come out with a beautiful thing that will make Nigerians happy.”
