Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North Senatorial District, has clarified that Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan is not the current President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
Kalu made the clarification while reacting to public discourse following the recent visit of Catholic bishops to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as comments made by Onaiyekan during a television interview on the country’s economic situation.
In the interview, the cleric had raised concerns about Nigeria’s economic challenges, suggesting that the President might not be getting a true picture of the realities faced by ordinary citizens.
Responding in a widely circulated video, Kalu defended the Catholic bishops, describing them as moral voices who speak truthfully on national issues regardless of the administration in power.
He said the bishops’ comments should not be seen as criticism of the Tinubu administration but as constructive contributions intended to help the government tackle pressing national issues.
According to him, “The Catholic bishops are conscious of the state of the nation, and when they offer advice, it is neither for nor against any particular administration. Their concern is always the welfare of the country.”
Kalu acknowledged the prevailing economic difficulties in the country but maintained that President Tinubu inherited many of the challenges currently confronting Nigeria.
He added that while political actors may sometimes present a favourable picture of events to those in power, religious leaders often provide a more objective perspective.
“Even if politicians tell the President that everything is fine, the Catholic bishops will always tell him the truth as they see it,” he said.
The former Abia State governor also addressed what he described as a widespread misconception about the leadership of the Catholic Church in Nigeria.
“I want to correct one thing. Cardinal Onaiyekan is not the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, and many people have been mistaken about that,” he stated.
Kalu further stressed that there was no serious rift between the Presidency and the Catholic bishops, noting that differing opinions should be viewed as opportunities for reflection and improvement.
He urged government officials to carefully consider the concerns raised by religious leaders and develop policies that would improve the living conditions of Nigerians.