PFN: Kukah, advocate of democracy, issues raised germane
The President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Dr.Felix Omobude, said Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, should not be used as the sacrificial lamb.
Speaking to journalist in his church premises in Benin, Omobude backed Bishop Kukah for speaking the truth at “this critical time of our national life.”
Kukah, in his Christmas message, titled, ‘A nation in search of vindication,’ accused the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, of deliberately sacrificing the dreams of Nigerians to institutionalise northern hegemony.
The message had drawn the ire of the Presidency, the Northern Elders Forum, Muslim Rights Concern as well as the Coalition of Northern Groups.
The PFN boss said, “Bishop Kukah is an advocate of democracy so he could not have been calling for the military overthrow of the government. The issues that he raised are very glaring and germane.
“Now, it is only in this country that you can’t talk against government and go free. What is the dust for? I know that the minister of information is paid for his job but he should be honest enough to face certain truth.
“Bishop Kukah spoke the minds of genuine Nigerians. And any attempt by anybody to impose a section of the nation upon the other, is bound to cause chaos.
“Bishop Kukah should be seen as a patriot and not a sacrificial lamb. He is not a hater of government but he is a lover of truth. I stand wholeheartedly by his views”, he said.
Stop muzzling Nigerians, Ortom tells FG
The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Wednesday called on the Federal Government not to politicise Kukah’s Christmas message.
The governor described as unfair and repressive, the Federal Government’s reaction to the message of the Catholic bishop who the government accused of stirring hatred against the President, Major General Mohammadu Buhari (retd.), and calling for a coup. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, Ortom described Bishop Kukah as a selfless Nigerian who only sought to unite the nation, saying the cleric was always speaking his mind frankly on national issues.
The governor suggested that instead of castigating Kukah, the Federal Government should take a second look at the things he raised in the Christmas day message to avoid throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
The governor said, “Even under the worst dictatorships, courageous citizens express their views on issues of national interest. Nigeria which is a democratic nation cannot be an exception.
“Whipping into silence, men and women of honour, who speak against injustice will not take the country to greater heights.” Punch
