The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, has called upon President Bola Tinubu to utilize his wealth of experience to bring an end to the tragic killings in Nigeria.
Quest Times reports that the bishop in his Christmas message with the theme, “Time to Reclaim Nigeria’s Greatness,” made available to newsmen in Sokoto on Monday, emphasized the need to halt the misuse of religious, ethnic, or regional identities for divisive purposes.
Addressing the upcoming 2023 elections, Bishop Kukah urged leaders from all fronts to prioritize national healing, acknowledging the challenges faced by the nation, while emphasizing that there are no shortcuts to building a united country.
Speaking directly to President Tinubu, Bishop Kukah congratulated him on achieving the presidency and emphasized the responsibility that comes with it.
He also urged the president to utilize this opportunity to end the instrumentalization of divisive identities.
The bishop further highlighted the importance of reconciliation, emphasizing that past national conferences have provided a roadmap, urging the president not to reinvent the wheel, but to address existing grievances and hopes.
In a direct message to President Tinubu, the bishop stated, “You are in the driving seat now. Under your watch, Nigeria must turn the corner. Under your watch, we must end the ugly instrumentalisation of religious, ethnic, or regional identities. You have had enough time to think of the answers to many questions that are crying for answers.”
The bishop also acknowledged the initial policy decisions made by the president, calling for a renewed focus on an inclusive government.
He stressed the deep-seated issues in Nigeria, particularly corruption, and called for a dismantling of this “evil structure.”
Bishop Kukah expressed concerns about the loss of hope among Nigerians in the government’s ability to address their needs calling for tangible evidence of change, and urged the president to address the structural problems facing the nation.
A poignant plea was also made to end the senseless killings, abductions, and other crimes plaguing the nation, as the bishop emphasized the importance of restoring the sanctity of human life, calling for accountability for those who take lives.
Kukah urged President Tinubu to rid the publInic service of corrupt individuals, emphasizing the need for credibility in the Renewed Hope agenda, while calling for a deliberate effort to bring hope to the poor and vulnerable in society.
In conclusion, his message extended to all Nigerians, encouraging them to maintain faith in the country and contribute to positive change; he emphasized that good politics and politicians require the commitment and honesty of citizens at all levels.