Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has refuted claims that President Bola Tinubu showed disrespect toward Catholic bishops. Speaking on the Channels Television program Politics Today, the lawmaker stated that the President maintains a strong and friendly rapport with the Catholic Church leadership.
The controversy emerged following a meeting between the President and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), with some political figures suggesting the encounter involved an insult toward the religious leaders. Kalu rejected this narrative, emphasizing that the President consistently provides an open-door policy for the bishops.
Kalu noted that the bishops have a historical precedent of providing feedback on national affairs, a practice dating back to the military era. He clarified that the recent statements from the leadership of the conference are part of their routine contributions to governance. According to Kalu, President Tinubu values these interactions because the Church often communicates truths that politicians might otherwise withhold. He concluded that the President is not an enemy of the Church but rather an ally who respects their role in shaping the nation’s conscience.
