I’ll resign from APC if… – Orji Kalu

Abia North Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, has vowed to resign from the All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Bola Tinubu disrespects the opposition or the Catholic Church.

Kalu, however, said Nigerians should not expect Tinubu to roll out the red carpet for opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that political competition does not require a ruling party to make things easier for its opponents.

The former Abia State governor stated this while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he spoke about Tinubu’s relationship with opposition politicians and the political atmosphere ahead of the next general elections.

Opposition should not expect red carpet

Kalu argued that it would be unrealistic for opposition politicians to expect special treatment from the President, particularly when they are competing against the ruling party for political power.

“Will you just lay red carpet for the opposition to come and be dancing around if you are a politician?” Kalu asked.

He maintained that Tinubu had been fair in his dealings with opposition figures, adding that politicians who operate within the law should have no reason to fear the government.

“Tinubu is fair to them, he has not touched any of them unknowingly.

“The law of the land is very straightforward and if you respect the law of the land you will be well in the country,” he said.

Tinubu won’t make things easy for opposition

Kalu further explained that Tinubu’s position should not be interpreted as an attempt to suppress political opponents.

According to him, the President’s refusal to provide a “red carpet” for opposition politicians simply reflects the competitive nature of politics.

“What he said is that he can’t give the opposition red carpet. If I’m your enemy will you give me a red carpet? If I’m fighting with you, will you give me red carpet?” he asked.

The senator said he believed the President remained committed to allowing a fair political contest, insisting that opposition parties should be free to compete without expecting assistance from the ruling government.

Kalu backs fair political contest

The former governor described himself as a fair-minded politician who would speak the truth regardless of political considerations.

He said his understanding of Tinubu’s position was that the President would allow a fair contest and would not deliberately interfere with opposition politicians.

“I’m a very fair minded man who speaks the truth, if I heard what he said that we are going to have a fair contest and he won’t touch anybody,” Kalu said.

I’ll resign if Tinubu crosses the line

Despite defending the President, Kalu made it clear that his membership of the APC would not prevent him from taking a stand if Tinubu disrespected the opposition or the Catholic Church.

The senator said such conduct would be enough for him to leave the ruling party.

“Any day Tinubu disrespect the opposition or Catholic church I will resign from the APC,” he declared.

Kalu’s comments come as political activities and alignments continue to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the relationship between the ruling APC and opposition parties increasingly becoming a subject of public debate.

The senator’s remarks also underline his position that while the ruling party is under no obligation to assist its political opponents, democratic competition should remain fair and opposition politicians should be treated in accordance with the law.