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• Defends president’s stance on Catholic bishops’ criticism
From Sola Ojo, Abuja
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has defended President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the economy, acknowledging that Nigerians are still experiencing hardship at the microeconomic level but insisting that the administration has made progress in stabilising key areas of the economy.
Kalu, former Abia State governor and APC chieftain, said while businesses and ordinary citizens were yet to feel significant relief, broader economic indicators showed signs of improvement under the Tinubu administration.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today yesterday, the former Senate Chief Whip distinguished between the macroeconomic gains recorded by the government and the daily economic realities confronting Nigerians.
“I am a businessman. I manufacture goods. The micro side of the economy is not doing that well, and that’s what concerns the average person.”
He, however, argued that the macroeconomic environment had improved, citing greater stability in the foreign exchange market, fuel price adjustments and increased foreign direct investment.
According to him, the challenge at the micro level was being worsened by insecurity, particularly the activities of insurgents and bandits that had disrupted farming, production and other economic activities across several parts of the country.
Kalu linked the insecurity challenge partly to the proliferation of arms from conflict zones in the Sahel and other parts of Africa, arguing that Nigeria’s economic difficulties should be viewed within a broader global context.
He also pointed to the impact of international conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war and the Iran-Israel-US tensions, on economies worldwide.
“Reform is not a Christmas party. It is not a Sallah party. In a reform, we have to see the good, the best and the ugly,” he said.
The senator admitted that the administration had not fully resolved the hardship faced by Nigerians but maintained that the reforms were aimed at correcting structural problems and positioning the economy for sustainable growth.
On the controversy surrounding President Tinubu’s recent engagement with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Kalu said the President owed the Catholic Church no apology over comments arising from the meeting.
Kalu, who described himself as a committed Catholic and a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said he did not believe Tinubu insulted the Church or its leadership.
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The Catholic bishops had during their meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa raised concerns over insecurity, economic hardship, political inclusiveness and other national issues.
The meeting later generated controversy following comments from the President and the Presidency, with critics accusing the administration of dismissing some of the concerns raised by the bishops.
But Kalu said the Catholic Church had always played the role of speaking truth to power and that its engagement with government was a positive development.
“I am a very good faithful of the Catholic Church and this is not the first time the Catholic Church is going to present its views in every country,” he said.
He noted that Catholic bishops had consistently commented on national issues under successive military and civilian administrations, adding that their role as moral voices should be respected.
According to him, “what politicians cannot tell President Tinubu, the Catholic bishops can tell him.”
The senator said the President had maintained a cordial relationship with the Catholic Church and had continued to grant the bishops access whenever they sought engagement.
Asked whether the Presidency should apologise to the Church over the controversy, Kalu replied: “The President didn’t say anything that needs apology.”
He, however, added that if the President ever did anything wrong against the Church, he should be willing to apologise.
Kalu also rejected suggestions that the public comments of Cardinal John Onaiyekan represented a complete position of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, saying the Cardinal had a long history of independently commenting on national issues.
He recalled that Onaiyekan had criticised successive administrations, including military governments, stressing that such comments should not automatically be interpreted as an attack on the Tinubu administration.
The APC chieftain further dismissed claims that President Tinubu was unaware of the hardship confronting Nigerians, arguing that the President remained informed through regular briefings and engagements with stakeholders.
He maintained that national security remained central to economic recovery, saying efforts to tackle insecurity would be critical to improving the livelihoods of Nigerians and strengthening economic activities.
