By Chris Udochukwu.
Abuja (Precise Post) – Presidency has reacted to the what it described as continuous criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari and his style of leadership by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, saying Nigerians have not been swayed by hateful talk from any bully-pulpit.
The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, made the position known on Monday in a statement titled ‘Kukah’s virus of hate.’
Recall that Father Kukah had in his Easter sermon on Sunday knocked Buhari’s government over alarming level of security challenges, corruption and disunity being witnessed in the country.
Quoting different biblical passages, the presidential spokesman faulted the bishop, saying “from his pulpit, he devoted his Easter message not to Christ’s death and rebirth so Man might be saved – but to damning the government in the most un-Christian terms.”
While accusing Kukah of neglecting Bible’s teachings, Shehu said Easter should be a time for renewal, and for hope and “not a time for religious leaders to play politics, or politicians to play religion.”
He added, “Nigeria knows too well Bishop Kukah’s views of the government. He has made quite clear how much he dislikes them from the day they were elected.
“Whether expressing his political views is a good use or an abuse of religious offce is for others to decide. But the people of Nigeria have spoken – twice: they support this government at the ballot box. They have not been swayed by hateful talk from any bully-pulpit.
“We respectfully ask Bishop Kukah to leave government to the voters and the politicians they elect, while he concentrates on his job, as it is expressed in James 1:27: ‘Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.’
“Or else, he should put away his clerical garb, join partisan politics and see how far he can go.”
