Kukah @ Christmas: In today’s Nigeria, we bear scars, trauma


Fiery cleric and celebrated social critic, Mathew Hassan Kukah, has slammed the  President Muhammadu Buhari
-led administration for the nation’s many woes, even as he lauded the government in the area of infrastructure.

The Catholic priest who also berated the government’s anti-corruption fight, regretted that Nigerians today bear scars and trauma, leading to war among the rich and the poor, men and women, as well as war across generations.

These were some of the highlights of the cleric’s Christmas message, a copy of which was made available to Blueprint in Abuja Sunday.

In celebrating Christmas, he reminded Nigerians that “in our daily lives, despite the hardships and disappointments, the threats and the insecurity, the failure of our government and the ongoing corruption, we celebrate in faith and joy because we know that God is with us.”

He said: “In Nigeria today we bear scars, we bear trauma, we bear deep sorrow today. Our children are still in the forests, in the hands of evil men. But most of them have no names. They are only numbers.

“Still, let us not give up. Let us not be afraid. Let us, like our mother, meditate over all these things and await the Lord’s doing. Be vigilant. This is the last Christmas for this present government’s administration. Let us all do our duty as we have a chance to choose new leaders. Do not be cynical. God is not done with us. Choose leaders who, in your view will love us, will care for us, will cry with us, will laugh with us. Look ahead and do not look back.”

Kukah, in the message laced with Biblical verses, also told the Buhari administration that  “it is sad that despite your lofty promises, you are leaving us far more vulnerable than when you came, that the corruption we thought would be fought has become a leviathan and sadly, a consequence of a government marked by nepotism.”

Rot in sports

Speaking further, the social critic also bemoaned the rot in the nation’s sports sector, particularly the non-participation of Nigeria in the last World Cup in Qatar.

He said: “I have listened as the President’s Friday men, wearing their laurels won from chasing shadows, have accused me of attacking the President, or not being a patriot. Some even went to the length of accusing me of being against Islam or the north. The important thing is that none of my critics has quarreled with my facts. If they accuse me of stating inconvenient facts/truths, then, they can at least give the facts their interpretations.

“For example, who will quarrel with the fact that our glory has departed as a country? Where is our voice respected today even within the African continent which looks up to us for leadership? Unless we count lining up behind others for handshakes across Europe and America as achievements, we will be remiss not to worry about our declining global influence. Is being the poverty capital of the world and one of the most violent states in the world an achievement? And our suffocating internal and international debts? And you do not think our glory has departed? We failed to qualify for the World Cup, our Falcons lost their title, our seemingly invincible champions, Anthony Joshua, Kamuru Usman and Israel Adesanya have all lost their titles. Our citadels of learning lie prostrate. When will glory return to us?

“Clearly, in almost every department and with all indicators, our nation has become a tale of two cities. We have wars between the rich and the poor, men and women, across generations, along party lines, social classes, religion, ethnicity and so on. The centre has given up in almost every department. Fixing our country and getting it back requires courage, honesty, truth, humility, trust and firm commitment. Lies and blackmail are no substitute,” the Catholic leader also said.

 “Although the responses to my messages suggest that, generally, Nigerians listen to our voices in the wilderness. However, the deliberate culture of pauperization and destitution of our people continues. So, we need a change of strategy so that we can turn a new page. We need a new strategy to confront those who sit on the throne of power in arrogance and are determined to reduce our country to a jungle. We need a new strategy that separates men and women of honour from those who have chosen dishonour.

“We need a new strategy that provides a clearer moral guide for ordinary citizens who, based on the moral strength of culture and religion, are seeking to build a good society, even if with straws. We need to stand up and stand firm. We need new mechanisms for saying no to the violence of governance,” he said.

The cleric appealed to Nigerians in power, saying “those holding elective office must appreciate that they have not been entrusted with the keys of our commonwealth just so they can turn it into their private money machines. History will record them and their roles, how they used the great opportunity God gave them among millions of other citizens to witness to Him and to do good.”

Health sector

On Buhari’s health, he said, “we thank God that He mercifully restored you to good health. We know that you are healthier now than you were before. We can see it in the spring in your steps, the thousands of miles you have continued to cover as you travel abroad. May God give you more years of good health.”

“However, I also wish that millions of our citizens had a chance to enjoy just a fraction of your own health by a measurable improvement in the quality of health care in our country. It is sad that despite your lofty promises, you are leaving us far more vulnerable than when you came, that the corruption we thought would be fought has become a leviathan and sadly, a consequence of a government marked by nepotism,” Kukah also stated.

Lauds Buhari on infrastructure

Notwithstanding the scathing criticism of the administration, the cleric commended Buhari in the area of infrastructure when he said: “I want to commend you however, for the efforts you have made in the area of infrastructure. There has been a measurable improvement in the landscape especially in the area of roads. I commend you for the efforts and honesty of seeking to end malfeasance in the electoral processes and your courageous support for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

“Am I to believe that you knew and could do nothing about the Muslim-Muslim ticket within your Party? Still, we pray for a free, fair and credible election. Since this is your last dance, I do wish you a merry Christmas. Next year, as your Bishop, I will endeavour to visit you in Daura to catch up on outstanding Tithes and other duties you owe your Diocese.”

While calling Nigerians to make right choice in the next general elections, he said, “we have a chance to renew our faith and hope in Nigeria. Let us seize it in the upcoming elections so that our nation can breathe again. Examine the leaders and assess their honesty. Do not be carried away by promises or even claims of past records. Even the best leader has to be engaged.

“We have not engaged this government out of malice. We have done so out of a sense of duty, to ensure that our glory does not depart. Let us all sign on to participating fully and delivering free and peaceful elections as a foundation for a new dawn for our country. The world is waiting for Nigeria. The unborn are waiting for a new country.”

Buhari’s message

Meanwhile, President Buhari has vowed not to hang around Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), after May 29, 2023 in order not to meddle in the affairs of the office of his successor.   

He spoke to Abuja residents led by FCT Minister Mohammed Musa Bello during the traditional Christmas Day homage.

At the last Christmas Day homage with the FCT community, comprising political, traditional and religious leaders, women and youth groups as well as public servants, President Buhari reiterated that he would return to his hometown of Daura, Katsina state, at the end of his tenure.

He explained that his decision not to make Abuja a permanent abode was to allow his successor a free hand to operate and run the affairs of government.

The president also told members of the FCT community that he had not built a new house in Daura or anywhere and hopes to live in his same house of many years. 

He also commended the FCT Minister, saying the minister retained the cabinet position for so long because of his honesty and hard work.

The president said he was aware that the office of the FCT Minister was burdened with requests for land allocation from highly placed Nigerians, who often dispose of their allocations for financial gains and other priorities.

He shared an anecdote of how someone close to him asked him to speak to the FCT minster to allocate him a plot of land; he will sell it and use the money to marry another wife.

‘‘I was overwhelmed by the priority of some people who need a plot of land not to develop it but to sell it and marry another wife.

‘‘I don’t know how the minister copes with such people who are extremely serious about such things. And I think about 45 per cent of those who have been given land allocation in the FCT have sold it and didn’t develop it according to the laid down criteria (master plan),” he said.

The president thanked Nigerians for supporting his administration, recounting that during electioneering campaigns in the build-up to the 2015 and 2019 elections, he had travelled the length and breadth of the country seeking their support.

Minister’s remarks

In his remarks, the FCT Minister expressed delight that the Christmas homage had returned after two years suspension due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

He prayed God almighty to grant President Buhari a peaceful and healthy retirement.

The Vice Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), FCT, Rev Stephen Panyan, commended the president for doing his best for the country and prayed he bequeaths a legacy of fairness, justice, inclusiveness and management of diversity to Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of CAN National President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the religious leader reassured the president of the support of the Christian community to all his programmes to bring progress and prosperity to Nigeria.

Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT and Senator representing Kogi West, Smart Adeyemi, declared that the nation’s capital had enjoyed religious harmony in the last seven and half years because of the good leadership of the president.

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