As the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah, comes under intense criticism by the government and some Nigerians, over his Christmas message, he has denied calling for a coup.
He gave further clarification at a press conference with select journalists at St Bakhita Secretariat in Sokoto on Monday night, saying that his message should be understood in the perspective of it, rather than relying on the inaccurate statement being peddled about in his name.
He insisted that the message was driven by his love for the nation, noting that there was no ulterior motive attached.
He expressed surprise that his message has turned some elements into an emergency critics who saw nothing wrong with daily loss of lives in Nigeria, adding that the loss of lives predated President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
According to him, he has learnt not to be offended, lamenting that some persons wouldn’t take a critical look at issues when its placed in a public domain.
“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.
“It is unfair for a journalist or news medium to report that I called for a coup while expressing my personal view about Nigeria,” he noted.
To those calling him to drop his priesthood cassock and join the political fray, the outspoken cleric said if he was to join politics, it would have been during the time of late Aminu Kano and not now.
“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.
“Take, for instance, brilliant Nigerian youths making comments about Chelsea or Arsenal and have never been to England, does that make them players of such club sides?
“So, why will someone think because Bishop Kukah is speaking therefore he is a politician? People who make this argument are totally ignorant of elementary 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.
“Whatever I said can please or displease anyone, but that is my own opinion and doesn’t stop others from saying their own opinion. If you think my motive is wrong, say yours.
“I have no problem with Muslims, Christians, or any other religion but what I don’t like is when someone is using a religious issue to play politics, it is wrong.”
