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Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, has replied those condemning him over his Christmas message that was critical of President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Kukah last Friday accused President Buhari of nepotism, saying there could have been a coup if a non-northern president did a fraction of what Buhari has done.
But Arewa Youths labelled the Catholic clergy’s comments as “treasonable felony against the Nigerian state”, while calling for his arrest and prosecution.
The Norrhern group said the Bishop was using “nepotism as a weapon of calumny against the government and people of Nigeria,” adding that it was an attempt to “set the south against the north in order to destabilize our country and further complicate matters”.
Similarly the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) accused Kukah of attempting to destroy the quest for national integration by instigating violence.
However, speaking with newsmen on Monday, Kukah said it was unfair for anyone to report that he called for a coup, adding that he gave his opinion base on evidence.
He said “if anyone thinks I am wrong, they should come out with a superior position”.
“The loss of lives in the last ten years, even before the advent of this administration, calls for concern,” he said.
“The reactions are a reflection of every citizen that make ups Nigeria. It is sad that when you drop something in Nigeria, everybody goes back to their enclave and abandons the larger picture. I am someone who never takes offence to what people say about me.
“What I said was my opinion based on evidence and what has happened in Nigeria, and if you looked into the records, there is evidence that justifies that statement, and if anyone thinks I am wrong, they should come out with a superior position.
“It is unfair for a journalist or news medium to report that I called for a coup while expressing my personal view about Nigeria. To those calling him to drop his priesthood cassock and join the political fray, the outspoken cleric said if he was to join politics, it would have been during the time of late Aminu Kano and not now.”
The Catholic Bishop further dismissed speculations of his intention to run for any political office.
“I have no plan and will never play partisan politics for any reason. Those who link my message to partisan politics are only playing to the gallery,” he said.
“Take, for instance, brilliant Nigerian youths making comments about Chelsea or Arsenal and have never been to England, does that make them players of such club sides?
“So, why will someone think because Bishop Kukah is speaking therefore he is a politician? People who make this argument are totally ignorant of elementary politics and ignorant of the role of a Priest.
“The truth is that a lot of us have not seen a priest saying what I am saying. The truth of the matter is, we are all in politics, but party politics for me, no. I am not a member of any political party and I cannot be. If it comes to voting, I do my right.
“Whatever I said can please or displease anyone, but that is my own opinion and doesn’t stop others from saying their own opinion. If you think my motive is wrong, say yours.”
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