Senator Orji-Uzor Kalu has stated the need for the Nigerian government, especially the incoming administration, to find a truce with the Church.

Mr Kalu, the Chief Whip of the Senate, made the call in Abuja on Friday at a mass to mark his 63rd birthday anniversary.

“I am going full out to reconcile the church and the government, and this is major, the government can not do it alone, the Church needs the government and the government needs the Church,” said Mr Kalu.

“So it is a partnership that can work and work very well, so I am going to be in front, driving it to make sure there is a true reconciliation between Nigerians, the church and the government.”

Resentment has grown among the Nigerian Christian community towards the All Progressives Congress led government since the party fielded a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket which clinched the election last month.

Mr Kalu, who is now seeking to become the President of the 10th Senate, supported the same-faith ticket then, arguing in favour of its political expediency.

Mr Kalu stressed that there was an urgent need for the incoming administration to drive the needed peace and reconciliation in the country for the unity of Nigeria and Nigerians.

The APC chieftain noted that there was so much hatred amongst Nigerians, noting that the government must partner fully with the Church to further drive good governance in the country.

He said he would use his contacts, as a recognised global business man, to support the incoming government, adding that the Church needs to work with the government.

“We need to tackle the challenges in the economy as soon as possible.

“No election is perfect, there is need for the reconciliation of our faith, and our people; there is so much hatred in the land everywhere you go amongst Nigerians.

“People should continue to make peace, let Nigeria not be like Sudan, I call on my fellow politicians to continue to work for the unity of our country.”

(NAN)