Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah has given Nigerians a warning forward of the 2023 presidential election.
Kukah mentioned Nigerians ought to keep away from misleading politicians and never make the error they made in 2015.
Kukah gave the warning whereas delivering a lecture on: 'National Cohesion for Growth and Progress - The Nigerian Dilemma at the Inaugural Lecture and Gold Prize' organised by This Nigeria Media Restricted in Abuja.
The cleric, who was one of many prime movers of the Nationwide Peace Committee (NPC), an eminent individuals group that supported the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, lamented that the administration had grossly didn't ship on its guarantees to the folks. Apparently admitting that he and others made a mistake, Kukah mentioned that 2023 presents one other alternative for Nigerians to decide on credible leaders in any respect ranges and enjoined them to look properly earlier than they leap to keep away from one other disastrous consequence.
"We are able to't deceive ourselves by pretending that each one is properly and nothing is unsuitable, let's preserve carrying on. No. One thing is considerably very unsuitable and the duty of fixing this nation falls on us all. "With the data I've now, if I pay for transport, I have to know the place the bus goes. So we've got an opportunity and the perfect factor is for all of us to open our eyes."We are going to have another election and I am saying that we must look for people that have shown us evidence that they understand where we are hurting," he mentioned. Kukah had on the occasion stirred the hornet's nest and sparked altercations with veteran labour unionist, Comrade Isa Aremu and authorized luminary, Chief Mike Ozekhome over the state of the nation and the seeming lack of cohesion among the many various ethnic and multi-cultural teams within the nation.
Within the mentioned lecture, Kukah mentioned that there was a unfavourable development of rising insecurity, poverty and despondency throughout Nigeria. He mentioned the federal government of the day had continued to pay deaf ears to the real complaints of the residents and seems to have capitalised on the ethnic and non secular diversities to subdue sure teams throughout the nation.
The cleric referred to his final 12 months's Christmas Day homily by which he chronicled the woes of Nigerians underneath the federal government of President Muhammadu Buhari, however insisted that nothing has modified since then. The trio, who had been later made panelists on the lecture, gave completely different views on the state of insecurity, poor economic system and lack of fine governance in Nigeria. Whereas the fiery and vocal cleric blamed the scenario on the lack of the present administration to do justice to all residents and teams with out concern or favour, Ozekhome drew a nexus between the current day challenges and the constitutional foundations of the nation. In response to the lawyer, Nigeria is sick, in a coma and requires oxygen to outlive from her present ailment. Ozekhome postulated that the clamour by some Nigerians to put off the army imposed 1999 Structure and changing it with a folks's structure should be achieved earlier than there may be fairness, justice and nationwide cohesion in Nigeria.
However Aremu sharply disagreed with each positions, accusing the duo of selling divisive narratives moderately than highlighting the intense sides and achievements of the current administration. Aremu accused Kukah of being a part of those that introduced Buhari to energy and suggested him to take a look at the intense aspect of issues. He mentioned that moderately than agonising, Kukah and his likes ought to be organising to make issues higher within the nation. When Kukah was given the fitting of reply to the try by Aremu to discredit him, he mentioned it was inaccurate to accuse him of constructing divisive utterances every time he spoke the reality about happenings within the nation. He acknowledged that he was a part of those that promoted the concept of a Buhari Presidency however mentioned his contribution was based mostly on a real conviction that it will result in constructive change as promised.
Veteran broadcaster and moderator of the discourse, Prof Tony Iredia, urged the media to be ready to carry out the constitutional duties with out concern of intimidation from the ruling class. The occasion featured the presentation of awards to a few eminent Nigerians who had distinguished themselves in public service. They embody Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Chairman of the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu and Prof Ishiaq Oloyede, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
