Matthew Kukah, The Bishop of Sokoto State Catholic Diocese, has on Tuesday, said that he only expressed his personal view “based on evidence”, in his Christmas Day statement, and never called for a coup in his criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari, Page 36 learnt.
While accusing President Buhari of nepotism in his message on Friday, the Priest had said that there could have been a coup, if a non-Northern Muslim Commander-in-Chief was in charge, and did a fraction of what President Buhari has done in Office.
Speaking with Reporters on Monday night, however, Bishop Kukah stated that it is unfair for anyone to report that he called for a coup.
His words: “The loss of lives in the last 10 years, even before the advent of this administration, calls for concern.
“The reactions are a reflection of every citizen that make up Nigeria. It is sad that when you drop something in Nigeria, everybody goes back to their enclave and abandon the larger picture. I am someone who never takes offence to what people say about me.
“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.
“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 does not stop others from saying their own opinion. If you think my motive is wrong, say yours.”
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