The Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has said the recent message delivered by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria to President Bola Tinubu reflects the true state of the nation, describing the bishops as voices of conscience who speak in the country’s interest.
Kalu made the remarks while reacting to the bishops’ visit to the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where they raised concerns about the economy, insecurity and the nation’s political climate.
He said the meeting provided the President with an honest assessment of the challenges facing Nigerians.
“The Catholic bishops are the conscience of the country. Their advice is neither for nor against any government; it is meant to help every sitting President see things as they truly are,” Kalu said.
The former Abia State governor acknowledged that many Nigerians are experiencing hardship but argued that the country’s current difficulties should not be blamed solely on President Tinubu.
“The bishops understand what is happening in the country. There are real challenges in Nigeria, but they are not President Tinubu’s fault,” he said.
Kalu commended the engagement between the President and the bishops, noting that it was important for the nation’s leadership to receive sincere feedback.
According to him, the bishops’ position could encourage the President to intensify efforts toward addressing the country’s challenges.
“Their visit is a good development because they are telling the President exactly how things are. It will motivate him to work harder,” he added.
The senator also accused some politicians of presenting an overly positive picture of the country’s situation to the President.
“Politicians may tell the President that everything is fine, but the bishops will always tell him the truth about the realities Nigerians are facing,” Kalu said.
The Catholic bishops had, during their meeting with President Tinubu, expressed concerns over economic conditions, insecurity and the nation’s political environment, urging the government to take decisive steps to address the issues.
