Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has defended the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria over its remarks on the country’s economic hardship and security situation during its meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
Kalu described the bishops as the “conscience of the nation”, saying their message to the president was a sincere reflection of the realities facing Nigerians rather than criticism of his administration.
The former Abia State governor, however, argued that the challenges affecting the country cannot be blamed entirely on the Tinubu-led government. He accused some politicians of shielding the president from the true state of affairs by presenting misleading reports about conditions across the country.
Speaking in a video that circulated online, Kalu reacted to the controversy that followed the disclosure of details from the bishops’ meeting by Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja.
He said the bishops’ intervention was made in the interest of the nation and should be viewed as constructive advice to any government in power.
“The Catholic bishops are the conscience of the country. When they give advice, it is not about supporting or opposing a president; it is about ensuring leaders understand the reality,” Kalu said.
The senator acknowledged that Nigerians are experiencing serious economic and security difficulties but maintained that the problems did not begin with Tinubu’s administration alone.
He praised the bishops’ visit to the president, saying it offered an opportunity for Tinubu to receive a more accurate assessment of the situation in the country.
Kalu further stated that while some politicians might portray things as better than they are, religious leaders such as the Catholic bishops would always speak honestly about national issues.
According to him, the bishops’ message should motivate the president to intensify efforts toward addressing the concerns of Nigerians.