Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has thrown his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima, insisting that replacing him would have been “suicidal,” while describing the Catholic Bishops as “the conscience of Nigeria” whose candid advice should guide the Federal Government’s response to the country’s economic challenges.
The former Abia State governor said the recent meeting between the Catholic Bishops and President Tinubu was not a confrontation with the Presidency but a patriotic intervention aimed at strengthening governance and improving the welfare of Nigerians.
According to Kalu, the bishops remain one of the few national institutions that speak truth to power without political bias, urging government officials to treat their observations on the economy as constructive feedback rather than criticism.
”To me, the Catholic Bishops are the conscience of the country. Their advice is never for or against any President. Their duty is to tell the truth and help every leader see things the way they should be,” Kalu said.
He acknowledged that Nigerians were facing economic hardship but argued that the current administration inherited a struggling economy, adding that President Tinubu’s reforms had begun stabilizing the nation’s macroeconomic fundamentals.
”There is hardship in Nigeria, no doubt, but it is not the fault of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The economy was practically dead before he came into office. What this administration has done is to begin the difficult task of resuscitating it,” he stated.
Kalu, however, urged the Federal Government to shift greater attention to improving the microeconomic conditions affecting ordinary Nigerians, stressing that the benefits of ongoing reforms must be felt at the grassroots.
”We have made progress on the macroeconomy. The real challenge now is the microeconomics. Government must focus on policies that directly improve the lives of the people,” he said.
The former Chief Whip of the 9th Senate maintained that the Catholic Bishops’ message should serve as a wake-up call for government officials, noting that while politicians might sometimes shield leaders from uncomfortable realities, the clergy had a moral obligation to speak honestly.
”Politicians may tell the President that everything is fine, but the Catholic Bishops will never do that. That is why I support their visit. Their message should encourage the President to work even harder for Nigerians,” he added.
Kalu also dismissed reports suggesting disagreements between the Catholic Bishops and presidential spokesmen, saying such exchanges should not distract from the substance of the bishops’ concerns.
He further clarified that Cardinal John Onaiyekan is not the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, urging commentators to avoid spreading inaccurate information about the leadership of the Church.
On President Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima, Kalu said continuity in leadership remained critical to the administration’s agenda.
”It is a continuity. There was no need to drop him. It could have been suicidal, and President Tinubu has made the right decision by returning Vice President Kashim Shettima,” he said.
The Senator also commended the National Security Adviser, Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu, for ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity, stressing that sustained security operations were essential to reviving the economy and delivering the dividends of democracy.
”I want to thank President Tinubu and the National Security Adviser for what they are doing on security. We must defeat criminals and hoodlums because without security, the economy cannot fully recover and Nigerians will not enjoy the benefits of this government,” Kalu said.
