The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, has urged Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action to permanently halt the ongoing violence against Nigerians, regardless of the means or pretext.
In his Christmas message titled “Time to Reclaim Nigeria’s Greatness,” delivered in Sokoto on Monday, Kukah emphasized that Tinubu should leverage his experience to put an end to the dangerous manipulation of religious, ethnic, or regional identities.
Despite the challenges faced in recent years, he highlighted the importance of the nation’s collective determination to remain united.
“The problems of Nigeria are deep-seated, and they are based on a culture of corruption that has become the foundation stone of governance. This evil structure has to be dismantled. Nigeria’s problems will not be resolved by palliatives,” Mr Kukah said.
In his 2023 Christmas sermon, the fiery cleric said Nigerians want “evidence they can see and touch” and are “tired of promises and stories.”
“You must rid the public service of criminals who have turned the opportunity to serve into an ignoble enterprise. We concede that there are millions of decent men and women who genuinely wish to serve but are crushed by the deadweight of corrupt ogas at the top who use corruption as their oxygen! This surgery must happen if you are to succeed in any of your dreams of delivering much-needed services to our people,” Mr. Kukah said.
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Expressing sorrow over the wave of “senseless” killings and abductions nationwide, Mr. Kukah urged Mr. Tinubu to intervene and put an end to the bloodshed, emphasizing the need to restore the sanctity of life.
“The killings of Nigerians by whatever name must end now. These senseless killings, abductions, extortions and kidnappings have to end, and the sacredness and sanctity of human life must be restored.
“Blasphemy laws have no place in a democracy. We are not in a theocracy. Those who take life by whatever means must be fished out and punished,” the cleric said.
Mr. Kukah’s sermon comes in the midst of economic challenges exacerbated by Mr. Tinubu’s economic decisions, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and changes in the exchange rate.
Despite positive assessments from experts, these dual policies have led to a significant increase in petrol prices from N165 when Mr. Tinubu assumed office on May 29 to N670 nationwide.
Moreover, the Naira now exchanges for over N1,100 against the United States dollar.
The nation continues to grapple with security issues and persistent activities by bandits and kidnappers. In June, over 200 people were reported killed in coordinated attacks by Boko Haram, bandits, and unknown gunmen across the country in Mr. Tinubu’s first month in office, according to the People’s Gazette.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu asserts an improvement in security, citing the rescue of over 600 individuals abducted and held captive in bandits’ hideouts for two to three years during the previous administration.
However, this claim contradicts reports from November when armed bandits kidnapped at least 100 people in Katsina State and the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina recently raised an alarm that bandits have taken control of numerous schools, converting them into their hideouts in the state.
(Peoples Gazette)