Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who represents Abia North, has declared that he would resign from the All Progressives Congress, APC, if President Bola Tinubu ever shows disrespect to the opposition or the Catholic Church.
The former Abia State governor made the statement while speaking during an interview, where he discussed the President’s relationship with opposition politicians and the political climate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kalu, however, maintained that opposition parties should not expect the ruling APC to make political competition easier for them. According to him, politics is naturally competitive, and no governing party is expected to create favourable conditions for its rivals.
He questioned the expectation that the President should extend special privileges to opposition politicians, saying it would be unrealistic for any political leader to roll out the red carpet for those seeking to unseat his party.
Despite his remarks, Kalu insisted that President Tinubu has so far treated opposition figures fairly. He said there is no evidence that the President has deliberately targeted political opponents and stressed that anyone who respects the laws of the country has nothing to fear.
According to the senator, Tinubu’s refusal to offer political advantages to the opposition should not be mistaken for an attempt to silence or suppress them. Rather, he described it as a reflection of the competitive nature of democratic politics.
Kalu expressed confidence that the President remains committed to allowing a fair political contest, adding that opposition parties should be free to campaign and compete without expecting assistance from the government.
Describing himself as a politician who values fairness above partisanship, Kalu said he would always speak honestly, regardless of political affiliations. He added that his understanding of Tinubu’s position is that every political party will be given the opportunity to participate freely in the electoral process without unlawful interference.
While defending the President, Kalu also made it clear that his loyalty to the APC has its limits. He said he would not hesitate to leave the ruling party if Tinubu ever crossed the line by disrespecting the opposition or the Catholic Church.
According to him, such an action would be unacceptable and would leave him with no option but to resign from the APC.
Kalu’s remarks come at a time when political activities are beginning to intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with growing public attention focused on the relationship between the ruling party and opposition groups.
His comments also reinforce his belief that while political competition should remain robust, it must be conducted within the boundaries of fairness, respect for democratic principles and the rule of law.
