By Babajide Okeowo
The Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has rebutted the allegation that he called for a coup against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in his Christmas homily.
Kukah lamented that it was unfair for anyone to report that he called for a coup.
“The loss of lives in the last 10 years, even before the advent of this administration, calls for concern. The reactions are a reflection of every citizen that makes up 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,” he said.
Recall that Kukah had come under fire from the federal government and its supporters over his Christmas message, titled: ‘A nation in search of vindication,’ delivered last Friday in which he had accused Buhari of sacrificing the dreams of Nigerians to institutionalise northern hegemony.
The message generated heated reactions with Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement warned religious leaders from resorting to scorched-earth rhetoric at this time which could trigger unintended consequences.
The barrage of criticism continued on Monday as the president’s Special Assistant, Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) and Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) knocked Kukah.
The Cleric however received commendation and support from the Catholic Church in Nigeria, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) who have all defended him.
