Scores of groups and individuals have risen in defence of Bishop Matthew Kukah, whose comments on President Muhammadu Buhari in a Christmas message have been criticized by the government.
In his December 25 message, the cleric had said, among others, that: “This government owes the nation an explanation as to where it is headed as we seem to journey into darkness. The spilling of blood must be related to a more sinister plot that is beyond our comprehension. Are we going to remain hogtied by these evil men or are they gradually becoming part of a larger plot to seal the fate of our country?
“President Buhari deliberately sacrificed the dreams of those who voted for him for what seemed like a programme to stratify and institutionalise northern hegemony by reducing others in public life to second-class status. He has pursued this self-defeating and alienating policy at the expense of greater national cohesion.
“Every honest Nigerian knows that there is no way any non-northern Muslim President could have done a fraction of what President Buhari has done by his nepotism and got away with it. There would have been a military coup a long time ago or we would have been at war. The President may have concluded that Christians will do nothing and will live with these actions.”
Reacting to Kukah’s comments, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, accused him of beating the wrong drums at Christmas.
According to the minister, it was “graceless and impious for any religious leader to use the period of Christmas, which is a season of peace, to stoke the embers of hatred, sectarian strife and national disunity”.
Among those that have come to Kukah’s defence is the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, which has declared that the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, did not in his message never insulted Islam nor did he call for a coup in the country. The Christian body, therefore, accused the Federal government and the Muslims Rights Concern, MURIC’ president, Professor Ishaq Akintola, of twisting the facts in Kukah’s
CAN made its position known in a statement signed by its Vice-Chairman in charge of 19 Northern State and Abuja, Rev. John John Hayab.
He contended that Akintola’s response to Kukah’s message was misleading, and asked the international community to counsel Akintola on the need to toe the path of honour in matters of national importance.
“CAN 19 northern states and Abuja has read with great shock attempts to further divide the nation by the Presidency, the leadership of MURIC and other individuals and groups aimed at twisting the crux of the homily Bishop Kukah gave at Christmas.
“Of grave misgiving is the baseless claim in a statement signed by the President of MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola that Bishop Kukah had “referred to Islam as a violent religion” and “calls for a coup.”
“That such a statement comes from Prof Akintola is not only laughable but misleading and tissue of lies. Records show MURIC’s leadership is often careless with assertions and many times acting as if it was a political platform instead of a religious one.
“CAN 19 northern states and Abuja, therefore, condemn in its entirety the misleading and inciting statements of MURIC and its likes calling on the international as well as the local community to particularly counsel Prof Akintola of MURIC to learn to walk the path of honour and not be a merchant of crisis. “Reading through Bishop Kukah’s “A Nation in Search of Vindication”, CAN is unable to find any expression suggesting an affront to Islam or a call for a coup.
“Sadly, MURIC aims to incite citizens against one another along the lines of faith instead of denouncing the insecurity witnessed across the country which is the point Bishop Kukah’s message. From the east to the south, west and all over the north, travelling has become a nightmare while hapless people are dragged from their homes for ransom. “Our memory is fresh with the gruesome killings of 76 farmers in Borno State in early December 2020 whose crime was simply being farmers eking for a source of livelihoods for their families.”
Continuing, CAN asked: “What was MURIC’s statement at the time of that national tragedy? How about the Kankara boys kidnap and the excruciating pains the kids, their parents and school were thrown in? “CAN 19 northern states and Abuja did not read a statement from MURIC and their likes. Now, from the blues, as Bishop Kukah talked the truth to power, we read unscrupulous statements aimed at painting black a message that was clear and concise alerting the government of its failure on the security of lives and property of Nigerians. “Given the current happenings in Nigeria with kidnapping, banditry, horrible atrocities committed against hapless citizens by members Boko haram, Nigerians should be united in condemning and finding solutions to the awful condition that we are in as Bishop Kukah has rightly done. For those castigating the referred cleric, we would call them by name – they are sectional zealots who only see the trouble in Nigeria from their primordial views.
“It is time for the Presidency, MURIC, and misinformed individuals to eschew their intolerance and admit that Nigeria under Buhari has strayed from the path and vision that the independence of this great country was fought for and won. “Let the government do the right thing by creating a sense of inclusion for all sundry, defending the citizens from harm, bringing an end to the growing insecurity in towns, cities, and villages that we could attain greatness together.”
Also lending its support to the Bishop, the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), has said there was nothing new in what he said, and warned about any plans to harm him.
“I have read so many reactions to the Christmas message of our respected Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, with many of them coming from Muslim and Northern groups.,” Rev. Yunusa Sabo Nmadu Jnr, the General Secretary of the church said in a statement. He noted that some of the comments had even called for Kukah’s arrest.
“Arrest a man that spoke the minds of millions of Nigerians? They must be joking,” he said.
“There is nothing new about what Bishop Kukah said. the Bishop has spoken our minds, and we will resist any attempt by any group or agency of government to harm him. Enough of this intimidation,” he went on to say.
“This style of governance to silent dissent voices by the Major General Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is unacceptable and must be resisted.”
“We invite the international community and Nigerians to hold General Buhari and his government responsible should anything happen to Bishop Kukah.”
“As a matter of fact, Nepotism under General Buhari administration is topnotch. This administration has a first class in nepotism and maladministration.”
“The Federal Government must immediately take steps towards addressing those concerns raised by Bishop Kukah, rather than sponsoring fake groups to attack the revered Bishop.”
“There is no denying the fact that Nigeria under General Buhari is now a centre of bloodshed. Killings, banditry, kidnappings and all forms of insecurities are now order of the day. The President should face the job for which he swore to. Mr. President, fulfill your campaign promises, secure the country and make life better for all of us.”
“The earlier this administration took steps to addressing these genuine concerns and stop living in denial, the better for them and the country.” “This country belongs to all of us. And no section of this country should be made superior than the other. We are bona fide citizens with equal rights. Enough of this shenanigans. We are watching,” he said.
Addressing the northern youths who had joined the fray and called for Kukah’s arrest, Senator Shehu Sani said they should channel their energy towards the fight against banditry and leave Bishop Matthew Kukah alone.
