Ultimatum: Leave Father Kukah alone, Presidency tells Islamic group
…Fani-Kayode, Shehu Sani, Omokri react
By Ayo Fadimu
The Presidency has frowned at the reported ultimatum given to the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev Matthew Kukah to tender apology to the Muslim Ummah over his recent “malicious comments” against Islam, or leave the state.
The ultimatum was said to have been handed over to Kukah by a group based in Sokoto, Sokoto State.
Reacting to the ultimatum in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu condemned the decision of the group, saying their action was contrary to the nation’s Constitution.
He said groups such as the Muslim Solidarity Forum must be seen to share and uphold the country’s multi-religious principles.
Shehu, however, cautioned that individuals like Kukah must respect the feelings of his fellow Nigerians in his private and public utterances.
According to the statement: “The reported ultimatum by a group based in Sokoto, ‘Muslim Solidarity Forum,’ calling on the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev Matthew Hassan Kukah to tender an unreserved apology to the entire Muslim Ummah over his recent ‘malicious comments’ against Islam, or quietly and quickly leave the state, is wrong because it is not in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Under our Constitution, every citizen has the right to, among others, freedom of speech and expression, the right to own property and reside in any part of the country, and the right to move freely without any inhibitions. Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity.
“The right for all religions to co-exist is enshrined in this country’s Constitution. The duty of the government, more so, this democratic government, is to ensure that the Constitution is respected. But all must respect the rights and sensitivities of their fellow Nigerians.
“Father Kukah has greatly offended many with his controversial remarks against the government and the person of the president, with some even accusing him of voicing anti-Islamic rhetoric.
“On matters such as these, responsible leadership in any society must exercise restraint. Knee-jerk reactions will not only cause the fraying of enduring relationships, but also the evisceration of peaceful communities such as Sokoto, the headquarters of the Muslim community as beacon of pluralism and tolerance.
“The Sultanate has historically had good relations with followers of all faiths. That is why Father Kukah was received on his arrival in Sokoto with friendship and tolerance.
“Under our laws, groups or factions must not give quit notices, neither should they unilaterally sanction any perceived breaches. Where they occur, it is the courts of law that should adjudicate. Unilateral action is not the way to go.
“Groups such as the Muslim Solidarity Forum must be seen to share and uphold the country’s multi-religious principles. And individuals like Father Kukah must respect the feelings of his fellow Nigerians in his private and public utterances.”
It would be recalled that Bishop Kukah had come under attack from many Islamic groups over his last Christmas message which he titled, “A Nation in search of vindication,” the clergyman highlighted some challenges facing the country and how the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has not lived up to expectations.
The Clergyman had accused Buhari of nepotism and “institutionalising northern hegemony against national interests.”
“Against the backdrop of our endless woes, ours has become a nation wrapped in desolation. The prospect of a failed state stare us in the face: endless bloodletting, a collapsing economy, social anomie, domestic and community violence, kidnappings, armed robberies etc. Ours has become a house of horror with fear stalking our homes, highways, cities, hamlets and entire communities. The middle grounds of optimism have continued to shift and many genuinely ask, what have we done to the gods? Does Nigeria have a future? Where can we find hope? Like the Psalmist, we ask; from where shall come our help? (Ps.121:1),” he said in part.
“President Buhari deliberately sacrificed the dreams of those who voted for him to what seemed like a programme to stratify and institutionalise northern hegemony by reducing others in public life to second class status. He has pursued this self-defeating and alienating policy at the expense of greater national cohesion. Every honest Nigerian knows that there is no way any non-Northern Muslim President could have done a fraction of what President Buhari has done by his nepotism and gotten away with it.”
Recall that on Tuesday, a Muslim group based in Sokoto, Muslim Solidarity Forum called on Bishop Kukah to tender an unreserved apology to the entire Muslim Ummah over his recent “malicious comments” against Islam or quietly and quickly leave the state.
Addressing newsmen in Sokoto, the acting chairman of the Forum, Professor Isa Muhammad Maishanu. stated that Kukah’s statements were capable of breaking the age-long peaceful coexistence among the religious faithful in the country.
Professor Isa Muhammad said, “Our intention at Muslim Solidarity Forum is not to hold brief for the President, as he has those who are paid to do that; rather our concern is the image and reputation of Muslims, which Mr Kukah finds pleasure in attacking without an iota of caution, and by referring to him [the president] as a Muslim, that automatically brings all Muslims into the issue.
Maishanu believed Kukah’s statement was seriously provocative. “His reference to a people who possess ‘a pool of violence to draw from’ no doubt is a reference to those he has always characterized with violence – the Muslims. This is a serious provocation,” Isa Muhammad Maishanu maintained.
“He even has the guts to say the killings we are witnessing in Nigeria are part of a grand religious design! Religious? Who are the victims of the killings? ‘What religion do they profess? Is it not a fact that over 90 per cent of those being killed are Muslims? Who is behind the so-called design?” he asked.
“These callous statements are unbecoming of someone who parades himself as secretary to the National Peace Committee and a member of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC)
“As such, we call on Kukah to immediately stop his malicious vituperations against Islam and Muslims and tender unreserved apology to the Muslim Ummah or else quickly and quietly leave the seat of the Caliphate, as he is trying to break the age-long peaceful coexistence between the predominantly Muslim population and their Christian guests.”
However, Bishop Kukah has denied attacking the Presidency or any religion in his statement.
“I have no iota of grudge with President Muhammadu Buhari, but what I strictly and categorically said was that using religion as a tool for playing politics is unacceptable and would not be accepted,” Kukah said.
While speaking in defence of Kukah, a former senator from Kaduna State, Senator Shehu Sani advised the Muslim Forum to seek audience with Kukah in his Parish,engage him in a debate and defeat or win him over with your superior argument; be a tolerant hos t no need to threaten or ‘expel him’. Don’t set a precedent for ‘Quit noticing the messenger’” Sani tweeted
Similarly, former aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayod insisted that Bishop Kukah did not attack Islam and therefore has nothing to apologise about.
“He has always sought for religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims. Those that demand that he ‘must apologise’ or ‘leave Sokoto’ must mind their utterances and keep the peace,” he warned.
