Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has described the Catholic Bishops as the “conscience of the nation,” saying their observations about Nigeria’s current challenges should be taken seriously by the country’s leadership.
Speaking in a video that has been widely shared on social media, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain reacted to the recent meeting between members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
During the visit, the bishops reportedly raised concerns over Nigeria’s economic hardship, worsening insecurity, and the country’s political climate. After the meeting, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, revealed that President Tinubu disagreed with the bishops’ assessment, maintaining that his administration remains on the right path.
Commenting on the development, Kalu praised the bishops for offering what he described as sincere and unbiased counsel.
According to him, the Catholic Bishops do not speak for or against any administration but instead provide honest guidance that every president should consider. He acknowledged that Nigerians are facing genuine hardships but argued that the country’s current difficulties should not be blamed solely on President Tinubu.
Kalu also said the engagement between the bishops and the President was positive, noting that it provides an opportunity for the government to better understand the realities confronting citizens.
The senator further alleged that some politicians often present an overly optimistic picture of the country to the President, unlike the bishops, whom he described as fearless truth-tellers.
He maintained that while politicians may be tempted to paint a favorable image of the situation, the Catholic Bishops are more likely to give an honest assessment of the country’s condition, making their input valuable to any government seeking to address Nigeria’s challenges.
