“Catholic bishops spoke rightly; Tinubu respects the Church — Orji Kalu.”

Senator representing Abia North and former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains the strongest contender for the 2027 presidential election, saying the administration has stabilised Nigeria’s macroeconomy despite the economic hardship experienced by many Nigerians.

Speaking on Wednesday night during Politics Today on Channels Television, anchored by Seun Okinbaloye, Kalu defended the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, dismissed claims of a rift between the President and the Catholic Church, acknowledged the challenges facing citizens, and expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would retain power in 2027.
Responding to questions about whether the Federal Government should apologise to Nigerians over the prevailing economic hardship, Kalu argued that the country’s economic realities should be viewed within the context of global challenges rather than in isolation. He cited the Russia-Ukraine war, tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States, as well as disruptions to global shipping routes as factors affecting economies worldwide.
According to him, countries such as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom are also battling economic pressures, stressing that Nigeria has not been immune to global economic shocks.
Addressing concerns over the previous APC administration’s use of Ways and Means financing through the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kalu acknowledged that money was printed during that period but said the National Assembly advised the executive against the practice. He maintained that lawmakers carried out their oversight responsibilities and did not participate in executive decisions.
“We advised the executive that they shouldn’t print money, and we have equally advised President Tinubu against it,” he said, adding that the current administration has discontinued the policy.
On the economy, Kalu distinguished between macroeconomic indicators and the day-to-day realities faced by Nigerians. He said the macroeconomy had improved, citing a stabilising exchange rate, moderating fuel prices, increasing foreign direct investment and growing investor confidence.
However, he admitted that the microeconomic situation remains difficult.
“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 situation largely to insecurity, noting that banditry and insurgency have prevented many farmers from returning to their farms, leading to reduced food production and higher prices. According to him, ongoing security operations are aimed at restoring farming activities and improving living conditions.
“In a reform process, you see the good, the bad and the ugly. Reform is not a Christmas party. It takes time before the benefits trickle down,” he added.
Speaking on the recent engagement between President Tinubu and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Kalu defended both parties, saying the bishops were right to comment on the state of the nation because it is part of the Church’s responsibility to serve as the nation’s moral conscience.
“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 stated.
Kalu insisted that President Tinubu neither insulted nor disrespected the bishops, explaining that comments made by presidential aides should not automatically be regarded as the President’s personal views.
“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,” he said.
He observed that Catholic bishops have consistently criticised governments irrespective of political affiliation, describing their interventions as constructive advice rather than political opposition.
“What politicians cannot tell the President, the Catholic bishops will tell him because they have no political interests to protect,” he said, adding that governments should always welcome such counsel.
Kalu also distinguished between the official communiqué of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and personal opinions expressed by individual clerics, saying both should not be confused.
Responding to calls for the Presidency to apologise to the Catholic Church over remarks by presidential aides, Kalu maintained that no apology was necessary.
“The President did not say anything that requires an apology,” he said.
He further declared that President Tinubu enjoys a cordial relationship with the Church and would never intentionally disrespect the Catholic hierarchy.
“So convinced am I that if President Tinubu ever disrespects the Catholic Church, I will resign from the APC,” he stated.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general election, Kalu expressed confidence that President Tinubu remains the candidate to beat, arguing that although economic challenges persist, the administration has recorded notable achievements in infrastructure, security and economic reforms that have not been adequately communicated to Nigerians.
“A lot has been done by this government. We simply have not marketed those achievements well,” he said.
Assessing the administration’s performance, Kalu gave President Tinubu a score of 65 per cent, expressing optimism that it would improve further before the next election.
“In the scale of 100, President Tinubu has done about 65 per cent. By September or October, that performance will be close to 70 per cent,” he said.
He argued that while opposition parties might seek to capitalise on public dissatisfaction over economic hardship, they lack the unity needed to defeat the APC.
“If they were united, there might be some concern, but they are not,” he said.
Kalu added that President Tinubu enjoys overwhelming support within the APC.
“Our party will not allow President Tinubu to lose the election. We will campaign until he wins,” he declared.
He also predicted that President Tinubu would win the presidential vote in Abia State despite Governor Alex Otti’s popularity. While saying Otti could retain the governorship, Kalu denied the existence of any political alliance between them, describing the governor only as a personal friend.
On protests over economic hardship, the senator defended the constitutional right of Nigerians to demonstrate peacefully, describing protest as an essential feature of democracy.
He also cautioned against relying solely on information circulating on social media, warning that misinformation and artificial intelligence-generated content increasingly distort public discourse.
While acknowledging that the government still has work to do, Kalu maintained that President Tinubu’s reforms are laying the foundation for long-term economic recovery.
“The government is doing well, but we have not yet reached where we want to be. The macroeconomy has been stabilised. The next task is ensuring those gains translate into improved living standards for ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
Kalu concluded by reiterating that President Tinubu remains the strongest presidential contender ahead of the 2027 election, expressing confidence that if ongoing reforms continue to deliver results, the APC will secure another electoral victory.