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Kukah’s criticism of Buhari set APC, PDP on fresh war path
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah has declared that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in the last seven years was full of nepotism, a development where some of his political appointees are mediocres and the nation has paid the price of entrusting power to characters who treated it like their family property.
Kukah lamented that since 2015, Buhari’s government has failed woefully in rescuing the school children from the captivities of bandits and terrorists, saying that the country is agonizing over the many failures of President Buhari.
He said: “Nepotism is a cancer which has consumed us in the last few years. We have paid the price of nepotism entrusting power into the hands of mediocres who operate as a cult and see power purely as an extension of the family heirloom,’’ he lamented.
He called for a change in approach to governance, saying those who sit on the throne of power in arrogance should be confronted even as they would reduce the country to jungle, if Nigerians don’t stand up firmly against them.
Kukah said, Buhari’s administration has created a caste system and he challenged Nigerians to rise up ‘’to destroy those who have institutionalised a caste system in our societies because every life matters.’’
Continuing, he said: ‘’Although the responses to my messages suggest that, generally, Nigerians listen to our voices in the wilderness. However, the deliberate culture of pauperisation 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 insisted that, “a caste system has emerged in our country. It has consolidated its hold and blunted the cutting edge of all institutions”, and Nigerians needed to rise up against the oppressors of the system.
The fiery priest said the country was worse under Buhari than the way he met it, noting that concerns have been expressed at seminars, workshops and committees as to why the nation was not moving forward without answers.
‘’Who would have imagined, after listening to the campaign speeches ahead of the 2015 elections, the new President’s inaugural speech, that we will be so worse off than we were? Yet, it could get even worse if we do not pause and pause very seriously,’’ he warned.
Recalling his 2021 Easter message in which he drew attention to the urgent need for Nigerians to reclaim their glory which was slipping away, Kukah lamented that the notion of patriotism was becoming alien as the country was falling to the pressures of ethno-religious nationalism, noting that “before our eyes, a dubious jihadist culture has held our nation to ransom with the government simply looking away.’’
“We agree with the revered Bishop that Nigerians should pause and reflect as they head to the polling units to cast their votes. The pains APC brought to bear on our people must be addressed by a leader who has seen it all. This is our message to Nigerians,” he added.
The ruling All Progressives Congress on Sunday night reacted to emotional Christmas message of the Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, describing it as an ‘ungodly’ criticism of the President Buhari.
In his reaction, the Director of Publicity for the APC, Bala Ibrahim, in an interview said “I hold him (Kukah) in high esteem and respect him because he is a senior brother to a friend.
He said, though Hassan Kukah is a man of God, sometime his speeches were ungodly as there are not objective.
“If you are going to be objective or speak with fairness, you cannot but give credit to Buhari for the way and manner he handles this country.
“When we talk about healthcare, if Kukah is insinuating that Buhari has used public office or his position to access better healthcare, I think he has not been fair to him. All the medical attention the President has been getting has been abroad and at no cost to the government. He has been seeing the same set of doctors he was seeing in the last 40 years. This is not a new hospital he visits. It is the same facility and doctors he uses for years in London long before he became the military head of state.
The APC insisted that President Buhari has rescued some abducted students by terrorists with speed and he should be applauded rather than being criticized.
“Also, when he said there were a number of students or children still in the forest, I don’t know if he’s talking about the Chibok girls or the ones that were taken recently? If you look at the ones taken under the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, look at the speed and efforts made to recover them within a short period of time. I think we must give kudos to the president.
“In the time when Chibok girls were taken, the government even refused to admit they were taken. That was how the lexicon ‘There is God’ came into our dictionary. They did not even admit that such a thing happened let alone acted to set them free. But this government came and within a short period sprang into action and some of these children were released even if it was in piecemeal. At least, we are still getting them.
“All the passengers on the Kaduna-Abuja train who were abducted had been freed without casualties. If you look at the speed and the rate of bombardment by the Air Force, you will agree with me that they are hitting these people hard so much that many of them are surrendering and giving up.
“You will not say this government is not doing well at securing and getting people freed from captivity. Gone are the days when Boko Haram attacked in a ruthless manner that they used to do, you don’t get to see that anymore because they have been decimated and no longer have the capacity for any spectacular attack anymore.
“So when a man of God speaks in an ungodly manner, I tend to feel uncomfortable. As I said earlier, he is not a man I will want to join issue with. I still respect him as a senior brother and hold him in high esteem. But I will want him every time he talks to do so in consultation with his conscience.”
Reacting to APC’s description of the sermon as ungodly, Ologunagba stated, “if punishing Nigerians is godly, then the sermon is ungodly. If pushing Nigerians into poverty with growing unemployment statistics is godly, then the sermon is godly. If bad is godly, then the sermon is ungodly.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has applauded media professionals for their dedication to promoting transparency and keeping citizens informed about government activities.
Governor Ododo who was represented by the Secretary to Kogi State Government (SGS), Folashade Ayoade made this known during the official launch of the state’s first Annual Media Performance Report held in Lokoja.
Ododo described the report as a landmark initiative in line with the administration’s commitment to open governance, emphasizing that effective communication is not only about the volume of coverage but the accuracy, sentiment, and impact of the information shared with the public.
He urged stakeholders to remain objective and fair in their reportage, stressing that the government does not support exaggerated claims, but rather believes in truthfully communicating achievements of the administration.
Ododo acknowledged the collective effort that went into creating the media performance report, emphasizing the important role played by the Special Adviser on Media Hon. Ismaila Isah and his team in delivering the report, which he noted aligns with the administration’s values of teamwork and effective communication.
He expressed deep appreciation to journalists across the state and beyond, recognizing their sacrifices in the line of duty, further pledged to facilitate direct engagement between members of the press and the Kogi State Government, assuring that the administration values the role of the media in building trust and shaping public discourse.
Earlier, the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor and Host of the event, Ismaila Isah emphasized that the report is not just a retrospective analysis but a forward looking tool to refine future communication strategies.
Isah expressed his gratitude to Governor Ododo for his unwavering support, and called for continued collaboration between the government and the media to further strengthen public trust and accelerate the development of Kogi State.
Vice President of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ) Zone D and General Manager, Prime FM Lokoja, Momoh Jimoh Adeiza applauded the report as a major achievement, urging the state government to increase its support for the media to further empower journalists to fulfill their crucial role in the development of the state.
Erosion: Oyo to benefit from European Investment Bank intervention
Oyo State has been listed among the Twenty-three beneficiaries of the European Investment Bank’s intervention in addressing the challenges of erosion and land degradation control in Nigeria.
The intervention project is under the auspices of the European Investment Bank-assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB).
In a statement by Bukola Bakare, Director, Press & Public Relations,
Ministry of Information and Orientation,
Oyo State, said the National Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB Engr. Anda Ayuba Yalaks made this known on Tuesday in Ibadan when he led the Federal Project Management Unit delegation on a courtesy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde in his office.
The National Project Coordinator disclosed that the courtesy visit was part of the Federal Project Management Unit team to Oyo State scoping mission to evaluate the State’s readiness as a crucial step towards disbursement and project implementation take off.
According to Engr. Yalaks, the Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated the climate Adaptation: Erosion and Watershed succeeding the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management project (Newmap) to address the issue of land degradation in a targeted subwatershed, improve livelihood, and promote Environmental resilience for sustainable development.
He added that the project is supported by the European Union and oversees by the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) with implementation by the twenty three (23) participating States including Oyo State.
Briefing the Governor on the pre requisite requirements, Yalaks commended Governor Makinde led administration for his approval and release of 500 million naira as counterpart fund and other important pre requisite requirements which secured the State as one of the 23 States for the EIB intervention.
His words, “I’m happy to announce to you that Oyo State has met 100% percent legitimate criteria to attract the funding.”
He confirmed that after conducting an assessment of the prioritized sites which are threat to lives and infrastructural development. They are therefore considered as candidate sites in line with the conditions precedence of the EIB.
Welcoming the FPMU delegation on behalf of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal highlighted some of the achievements of Engr. Seyi Makinde in demonstrating the highest level of political will to tackle environmental challenges in the state.
He expressed optimism about the project’s potential for success and assured the team of the state’s unwavering support.
“We are already on course and it is an irreversible course, we cannot go back, all the requests you have demanded from us as the state government, we will fulfil. We need to put more efforts in terms of making this partnership a workable one”.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources Arch. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola commended Engr. Seyi Makinde for his leadership quality in chosen the prioritized sites in Eruwa, Igbeti, Ibadan and most especially the gully erosion site within the Ladoke Akintola University(LAUTECH) Ogbomoso which is currently a threat to infrastructural development, added that the State is ready for full project implementation take off.
Present at the visit were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Sunday Ojelabi, State Project Coordinator, Barr. Tayo Ayoade and members of the State Project Management Unit of NEWMAP.
President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, on Wednesday, paid a condolence visit to Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, following the passing of his mother, Hajiya Sarafa’u Umaru, who died on March 23, 2025, at the age of 93.
During the visit, Senator Lawan expressed his deep sorrow over the loss, describing Hajiya Sarafa’u as a woman of “great virtue, kindness, and wisdom,” whose life left an indelible mark on her family and community.
“It is with a heavy heart that I stand here today to commiserate with His Excellency, Governor Radda, and the entire family over the loss of their beloved matriarch.
“Hajiya Sarafa’u was a pillar of strength and devotion, and her legacy lives on through the exemplary leadership of her son, who continues to serve Katsina State with passion and humility,” Lawan said.
The former Senate President explained that his absence during the initial mourning period was due to his participation in an executive course at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in the United States.
However, he emphasized the importance of personally conveying his sympathies upon his return.
“I regret that I could not be here earlier, but I felt it necessary to come in person to offer my condolences and stand in solidarity with the Governor and the people of Katsina during this difficult time,” he added.
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