2022: Kukah Sees Better Nigeria Ahead
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, says seeming debilitating challenges notwithstanding, Nigerians should be hopeful that the country is on the path to solving its problems and becoming better.
According to the outspoken Catholic Priest, it is important to keep hope alive that the country will soon overcome its socio-economic development and security challenges.
Bishop Kukah, who spoke at St Bakhita Catholic Secretariat in Sokoto while chatting with Journalists to mark the year 2021 ending, said with the President signing the 2022 budget into law, Nigerians should be expectant that “it will herald a new beginning for a better life for all of us.”
The media engagement is a special annual event by the Bishop to interact with working journalists in the state every blessed year.
He said; “We also pray that better things will come our way as the National Assembly will very soon perfect the Electoral Acts process so that the President can assent to it and by the grace of God.”
Commenting on the 2023 general elections, the 69-year-old Clergy said with another opportunity beckoning on Nigerians to make a choice of their leaders and those to manage their affairs in the next four years, it is important to choose right going forward.
“We would soon start another of our long journeys in the democratic space that promises a smooth process for us and those we will vote for, who are qualified to be in power. So, Nigerians will have the opportunity to make the right choices.“
However, on the issue of either a Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian ticket, Bishop Kukah said unfortunately, Nigeria is being held hostage under the illusion of religious differences, even as he cautioned that Nigerian politicians must be sincere and avoid focusing on politics of religion and regional sentiments that could trigger gross disunity among the people.
The highly respected Cleric, while reflecting on the trend of citizens’ conduct and interests, said; “We can see that our country is being held hostage under the illusion that Muslim is here, Christian is here”, adding; “When it comes to the distribution of contracts or proceeds of corruption, there are no Christians and there are no Muslims.”
Maintaining that he has always said “to people that I cannot and will never make religion an issue in my lifetime”, Bishop Kukah urged so-called supporters of politicians as well as influential political figures and personalities to be wise in their choices ahead of 2023 polls.
