The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, has issued a stern charge to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to take decisive action to permanently end the ongoing killings of Nigerians and put a halt to the instrumentalization of religious, ethnic, or regional identities.
In his Christmas message titled “Time to Reclaim Nigeria’s Greatness,” Bishop Kukah emphasized the need for President Tinubu, having achieved the presidency, to leverage his wealth of experience to foster unity and bring an end to the divisive narratives plaguing the nation.
Reflecting on the challenges faced by Nigeria in recent years, Bishop Kukah acknowledged the collective resolve to stay united despite testing times. He stressed the importance of reconciliation and called on leaders across the spectrum to prioritize the healing process.
Addressing President Tinubu directly, Bishop Kukah commended him on his presidency, expressing hopes for positive change under his leadership. However, he emphasized that the president must address various pressing issues, including the instrumentalization of religious and ethnic identities, restructuring, and corruption.
The bishop urged President Tinubu to consider the grievances and hopes expressed in previous national conferences, emphasizing the need for strategic and inclusive measures to achieve reconciliation. He cautioned against reinventing the wheel and highlighted the importance of using existing resources to build a just and egalitarian society.
Bishop Kukah also called for an end to partisanship, emphasizing that Nigeria’s problems are deep-seated and rooted in corruption. He urged the president not to shy away from resetting the power dynamics, addressing corruption, and dismantling the foundations of governance that perpetuate corruption.
Expressing concerns about the plight of Nigerians, Bishop Kukah called for a comprehensive approach to solving the nation’s problems, going beyond mere palliatives. He urged evidence-based actions, transparency, and a focus on resetting the template of power.
On the issue of insecurity, the bishop emphasized the urgency of ending the senseless killings, abductions, extortions, and kidnappings. He condemned the application of blasphemy laws in a democracy, calling for the identification and punishment of those responsible for taking lives.
Bishop Kukah stressed the need to rid the public service of corrupt individuals and encouraged a thorough surgical process to eliminate corruption at all levels. He urged President Tinubu to ensure that the Renewed Hope agenda is built on a solid foundation of faith and hope for the restoration of the nation’s glory.
In conclusion, Bishop Kukah appealed to Nigerians to maintain faith in the country and called on Christians, in particular, to exemplify their faith through commitment, honesty, and self-examination. He invoked the words of the fourteenth-century English poet Alexander Pope, stating that true Christianity is reflected in the transformation of the heart rather than mere association or membership.
