Mathew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, emphasized that President Bola Tinubu has no excuses if his government fails to address the pressing issues facing Nigeria, stating this during his Christmas message in Sokoto on Monday. He noted that neither history nor God would forgive the President if he failed in this regard.
The message, titled ‘Time to Reclaim Nigeria’s Greatness,’ touched on various topics, including unity, nation-building, insecurity, and politics. Kukah urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to leverage his wealth of experience to put an end to the misuse of religious, ethnic, or regional identities.
However, Kukah argued that addressing Nigeria’s challenges would require more than just palliatives, as the issues are deep-rooted and structural. He called on Nigerians to maintain faith and hope in the country despite the challenges.
Kukah stated, “Now, the government must devise strategies for achieving reconciliation, which has eluded us. Our injuries are not invisible. Many national conferences have been held to chart a way forward. The trove of grievances and hopes is there, and all the government needs to do is to dust them up. No need to reinvent the wheel or attempt some new diagnosis.”
In his direct address to President Tinubu, Kukah congratulated him on assuming the presidency and emphasized the need for tangible actions to address the nation’s challenges. He reminded the President that the responsibility now lies in his hands, and failure to deliver would not be forgiven by God or history.
Kukah also commented on some of the early policy decisions of the administration, acknowledging the controversy and praise they have garnered. He stressed the importance of dismantling the foundation of corruption in governance and urged the President to prioritize the sanctity of human life, ending killings, abductions, extortions, and kidnappings.
The bishop called for a cultural shift in public service, emphasizing the need to rid it of criminals who exploit the opportunity to serve for personal gain. He urged President Tinubu to lay a foundation that would end the unnecessary suffering of the Nigerian people.
Kukah concluded by calling for a credible Renewed Hope agenda that is based on faith and hope for the restoration of the country’s glory. He appealed for visible evidence of positive change, expressing the nation’s weariness with empty promises.
“Mr. President, the killings of Nigerians by whatever name must end and end now. These senseless killings, abductions, extortions, and kidnappings have to end, and the sacredness and sanctity of human life must be restored,” Kukah said.
He emphasized that the President’s actions should align with the desire for a united country and encouraged him to inspire hope in the faces of the poor and vulnerable.
“Good politics and good politicians can bring about change, but all of these require the commitment and honesty of citizens to be honest at all levels. I, therefore, call on Christians, in particular, in this season to become real models of our faith,” Kukah concluded.
