Kukah: I Will Apologise For My Coup Comment If…



The Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah says he will only recant his Christmas message and tender an apology under one condition.

Recall that Kukah had in a scathing but trenchant Christmas message 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.

Irked by Kukah’s Remark, the Islamic groups, JNI, said the bishop had decided to treat those who shelter him with scorn and indignity.

The group also said Kukah had bit the finger that fed him despite being accepted and tolerated.

Reacting to JNI’s secretary, Dr Aliyu, claim, Kukah urged the Islamic groups to point out where and how in all his sermon he attacked Islam or Muslims.

Kukah averred that the stance of the Islamic group concerning his sermon was premised on politics rather than humanity.

He explained, “Dr Aliyu has accused me of being an enemy of his religion, Islam. He accused me of what he calls, firing an arrow at the heart of Islam and Muslims in Nigeria.”

“He poses a question: How can Muslims continue to be hospitable to one who proves to be an ingrate many times over? How can Muslims be comfortable in associating with a bitterly vindictive person disguised in the garb of a religious cleric?”

Bishop Kukah noted that his area of research is religion, politics and society, saying that he is concerned about how religion can help to form good citizens and also how the state can create an environment that enables citizens to achieve this.

Bishop Kukah challenged Dr Aliyu as a matter of honour and based on the text of his sermon to formally identify where in he attacked Islam or all Muslims in Nigeria, assuring that he would be more than happy to apologise for the offensive part of the statement.

He further noted that the crux of his sermon was hinged on two troubling themes of nepotism and widespread killings in the country, adding that the focal point of his sermon are replete with issues that unsettle Nigerians and that most religious leaders and statesmen and women have belaboured about.

Kukah expressed dismay at how castigation of government could be spun to mean attack on  Islam and the north.

He called on Dr Aliyu to clarify and validate his accusations against him and advance the reasons why he should incite violence against him.

Read Also: Coup Remark: Muslim Forum Asks Bishop Kukah To Leave Sokoto

Bishop Kukah noted, “I am unaware of anyone in Sokoto who has accused me of any misdemeanour or actions aimed at undermining the state state or anyone, no least the faith of Islam.”

He reiterated, “I believe that today, nepotism poses a serious threat to our country.”