Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has defended President Bola Tinubu against allegations that he disrespected the Catholic Church, insisting that the President enjoys a cordial relationship with the Catholic bishops and has always maintained an open-door policy towards them.

Kalu made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today while reacting to the controversy that followed the recent meeting between President Tinubu and members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

The controversy was fuelled by comments from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, who alleged that Tinubu had insulted the Catholic bishops following the meeting.

However, Kalu rejected the claim, maintaining that there was no disrespect towards the Church.

“This is not the first time that the Catholic Church is going to President Tinubu. In every country, from DRC to Angola, to South Africa and anywhere, the Catholic Church and other churches are always the conscience of the country,” he said.

The former Abia State governor noted that the concerns raised after the meeting reflected the longstanding tradition of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, which he said has consistently commented on national issues since the era of military rule.

“I do not see anything wrong in what the Catholic bishops said. Those discussions were made by Archbishop Danagoro of Kaduna State, the current president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and not even Onaiyekan,” Kalu stated.

He added, “Since the military rule, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference hold its conference every year where they talk and issue a statement about the state of the nation.”

Kalu further stressed that Tinubu should not be viewed as an adversary of the Catholic Church.

“For me, Tinubu is not an enemy to the Catholic bishops; he’s one of their best friends and I don’t feel insulted. Tinubu in no means insulted the Catholic bishops. I didn’t see it,” he said.

Highlighting the relationship between the presidency and the Church, Kalu said Tinubu has consistently granted requests for meetings from Catholic leaders.

“President Tinubu has a very good relationship with the Catholic Church. Anytime they have asked for an audience, he has given it to them because any president dodging Catholic bishops is dodging himself, because what politicians cannot tell the president, the Catholic bishops will say it,” he added.

The Lagos State African Democratic Congress, ADC, governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, said the state has lacked the government that prioritizes its people in the last two decades.

Rhodes-Vivour said this in a statement posted on his verified X handle on Wednesday.

He was speaking on the 2027 governorship election in the state, stressing that the election should not be about propaganda and false narratives but realities.

“Our Lagos has never lacked the potential, geography or human capacity to be one of the greatest cities in Africa. What it has lacked in the last two decades is a government that consistently puts its people first.

“This 2027 election should be about realities. Real impact does not need propaganda. Lagosians should be able to feel the impact.

“It means breathing cleaner air. Walking streets free of mountains of refuse. Roads that don’t become pothole ridden obstacle every rainy season.

“Emergency services that save every life, not just those who can afford them. Schools that prepare our children for their present and their future.

“A transport system that respects your time. Taxes that work for you. Our Government should make life easier, not harder due to their incompetence. Competence over theatrics. Service over slogans. Results over mythology,” he tweeted.

The party in a statement signed by its National leader, Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, called on President Bola Tinubu to allow a free election in Osun State.

Accord Party warned that any attempt to capture the state by the federal might shall fail, adding that the people have rejected the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state .

“It’s part of the wider plot to use the police and federal agencies to capture Osun State for the opposition All Progressives Congress which the people have since rejected having brought untold hardship and misery to them,” Accord said.

“This unconstitutional action of the EFCC shall be challenged in court as the temple of justice and last hope of all aggrieved citizens.

“In a haste to cripple the state, the anti-graft agency could not obtain a court order to freeze the government accounts conscious of the fact that the court would not grant it.

“It is obvious that EFCC is acting a script along with the police in the state to paralyze and frustrate government activities to pave way for the opposition APC. The timing of this grand plot to destabilise the state ahead of the gubernatorial poll is evident.”

Accord said it had earlier raised alarm of the plot to deploy the federal might to subdue Osun residents and make the state ungovernable, adding that “The EFCC reprehensible action days to the crucial election is one of them. Like other plots against the good people of Osun State it shall fail.”

However, Accord said it is confident that the rule of law will again prevail as obtainable in the infamous plot to de-register the party along with four others.

It added, “Nigerians will continue to resist glaring assaults on the nation’s hard-earned democracy by reactionary forces.”

Accord called on President Bola Tinubu “to allow a free, fair, credible and peaceful governorship election in Osun State on 15th August 2026, by ensuring that the security agencies particularly the police are neutral, impartial and professional in their conduct before, during and after the poll.

“As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Tinubu is obliged to safeguard lives and property in the federation and ensure security agencies do not violate their rules of engagement in this critical civic exercise.

“Unfortunately, political tension is high in Osun State due to glaring police interference, harassment, intimidation, arrest and detention of Accord members and supporters across the state as if Osun is at war. The police have become so partisan and desperate in their support for the opposition APC in the state which makes their neutrality questionable. It is unpatriotic, unprofessional and unacceptable.

“Election ought to be the beauty of democratic governance and not a war front. There is no need for the rule of might in citizens’ quest for political participation.

“Nigerians will not tolerate any manipulation of Osun governorship election to impose an unpopular candidate on the people. Voters should be allowed to make their choices.

“The party will no longer stand by and watch its members being maltreated and killed because of their political affiliation often in the presence of security agents.

“The ambition of any politician does not worth the blood of fellow compatriots. This politics of bitterness and brigandage must stop forthwith.

“The president should call to order the overzealous security agents, the EFCC and anti-democratic forces in Osun State, and ensure that INEC is given a free hand to conduct the governorship election.”

Accord further demanded the unconditional release of all its members and supporters detained in Abuja, Osun and Nasarawa States in flagrant violation of their fundamental rights as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended. Citizens’ right to freely choose their governor is sacrosanct, and their mandate must be respected by all.

“Osun people will resist any attempt to rig or manipulate the governorship election. It is wisdom to learn from the past gubernatorial polls in the western region, avoid political upheavals and tow the path of patriotism, dignity, integrity and professionalism in the conduct of the election,” it said

“Osun residents are peace-loving and want to participate in the election devoid of fear of police harassment and arrest. That’s why the party urges President Tinubu to allow a free election. It will be to his credit that the Osun governorship is credible, transparent and acceptable.”