Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, has declared that he would resign from the All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ever disrespects the Catholic Church.

Kalu made the statement on Wednesday during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, while addressing the controversy surrounding the recent meeting between President Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

The controversy began after the CBCN leadership, led by Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso, met with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where the bishops raised concerns over worsening economic hardship and insecurity across the country.

Following the meeting, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, former Archbishop of Abuja, suggested that President Tinubu was displeased with the bishops' remarks. The comment sparked a heated exchange, with the President's Special Adviser on Media and Policy, Daniel Bwala, accusing the Catholic Church of sympathising with the opposition.

Reacting to the development, Kalu defended the bishops, insisting they had fulfilled their moral obligation by speaking frankly on the nation's challenges.

"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," he said.

The former Abia State governor dismissed claims that President Tinubu had shown disrespect to the Catholic Church, stressing that comments made by presidential aides should not be interpreted as the President's official 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," Kalu stated.

He maintained that Catholic bishops have always spoken truth to those in power, regardless of which administration is in office.

"What politicians cannot tell the president, the Catholic bishops will tell him because they have no political interests to protect," he added.

Addressing calls for the Presidency to apologise to the Catholic Church, Kalu argued that no apology was necessary since, in his view, Tinubu had done nothing wrong.

"Any day President Tinubu disrespects the opposition or the Catholic Church, I will resign from the APC," the senator declared.

Kalu also defended the Tinubu administration's economic policies, saying they had succeeded in stabilising key macroeconomic indicators.

According to him, the exchange rate is becoming more stable, fuel prices are moderating, foreign direct investment is increasing, and investor confidence is gradually returning.

However, he admitted that many Nigerians have yet to experience the benefits of those reforms.

"As a businessman, I manufacture goods, and I know the microeconomy is not doing well. President Tinubu himself knows Nigerians are suffering," he said.

He attributed the country's economic hardship largely to insecurity, arguing that restoring peace would enable farmers to return to their farmlands, boost agricultural production, and reduce food prices.

Looking ahead to the 2027 general election, Kalu expressed confidence that President Tinubu would secure a second term, insisting that the opposition remains too divided to pose a serious challenge to the ruling APC.

"If they were united, there might be some concern, but they are not. Our party will not allow President Tinubu to lose the election. We will campaign until he wins," he said.