“I Didn’t Call For Coup” – Kukah Clears Air On Scathing Christmas Message

Matthew Kukah, bishop of Sokoto Catholic diocese, says his remarks on President Muhammadu Buhari handling of the country’s affairs is a dispassionate assessment of what’s going on in the nation.

Ekohotblog had reported how Kukah, in a Christmas message, had said a non-northern Muslim president can’t get away with a fraction of what Nigerians overlook under the present administration, he said such president would have been ousted through coup.

He also accused Buhari of nepotism, saying his government has the trappings of northern hegemony as other tribes have been relegated to second class citizen.

In a rebuttal, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) called for the arrest and prosecution of Kukah for allegedly demanding a coup.

The forum described the bishop’s comments as “treasonable”, saying it’s aimed at pitching the north against the south.

But speaking with reporters on Monday night, Kukah said his views are backed by Irrefutable proofs.

He, however, said he did not call for a coup in his criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Kukah said it was unfair for anyone to say his criticism was a thinly-veiled agitation for a coup.

He said the death toll in the last ten years, even before the present administration came to power, has become a source worry.

“The reactions are a reflection of every citizen that make ups 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” He said

On calls for him to  join politics instead of hiding behind the veneer of religion to dish out criticism, the vociferous cleric said the time for him to join politics had long passed, adding that if he was to make foray into politics, “it would have been during the time of late Aminu Kano and not now.”

The Catholic priest said he didn’t harbour thought of delving into partisan politics.

“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,” he said.

He made reference to sport, saying “brilliant Nigerian youths making comments about Chelsea or Arsenal and have never been to England, does that make them players of such club sides?”

He wonder why anyone would call him a politican because he criticised the government, noting that those who push such narrative are completely lacking in knowledge of basic 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 truth 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.

He said his utterances can attract commendation or condemnation, adding that he’s not stopping anyone, who feels his intentions were wrong, from expressing their views.