Following the criticism that trailed his Christmas Message, Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has denied calling for a coup against President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.
Abacityblog.com reported that Bishop Kukah in his Christmas message titled, “a nation in search of vindication,” accused “President Muhammadu Buhari of succeeding in sacrificing the dreams of Nigerians on the altar of nepotism by pursuing northern hegemony.”
However, reacting to comments made by critics, Bishop Kukah, while addressing newsmen at a media conference with selected journalists held at St Bakhita Secretariat in Sokoto on Tuesday, 29th Dec, urged Nigerians to get the accurate statement rather than relying on different lies being peddled about in his name.
He emphasised that the message was based on his love for the country and had no political or ulterior motive.
“I am pained and very sad that my emergency critics never see that many innocent lives are being lost daily. The loss of lives in the last ten years, even before this administration’s advent, calls for concern.
“The reactions are a reflection of every citizen that make up Nigeria. It is sad that when you drop something in Nigeria, everybody goes back to their enclave and abandon 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 noted.
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 late Aminu Kano and not now.
“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.
“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 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 fact 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.
“I have no problem with Muslims, Christians, or any other religion, but what I don’t like is when someone is using a religious issue to play politics, it is wrong.”
