BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – The leadership of the Southern Nigeria and Middle Belt Forum has demanded an immediate and unreserved apology from the Federal Government and its attack dogs to Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah over the unwarranted and baseless attacks on him.
The Forum noted that Bishop Kukah remains a national icon, a hero of the masses, stressing that the sponsored attackers and those concerned must be reminded that the voice of truth and reason can never be suppressed successfully.
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum while condemning the outbursts by the Presidency and the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), noted with very serious concern the attempt to give the Christmas Day Message of the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah a different meaning.
These were contained in a statement jointly signed by Yinka Odumakin (South West), Chief Guy Ikoku, (South East), Senator Bassey Henshaw (South South) and Dr Isuwa Dogo (Middle Belt), in which they noted that Bishop Kukah an outspoken cleric, remains a beacon of truthfulness over the years and a foremost defender of the aspirations of millions of Nigerians across ethnic and religious lines.
The Forum leaders further said; “On this occasion, his comments have been applauded by majority of Nigerians and we all stand with him.
“We want to remind the Federal Government and its attack dogs that in the past, they had equally welcomed the forthright views of this man of God even as it favoured them.
“So, why attack him now when he cautions them on their divisive policies”.
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum stressed that the country has become terribly divided along all kinds of lines, saying that it was shameful and indefensible that suddenly, the Federal Government is dominated by one small ethnic group and they expected all to keep quiet like slaves.
It also said; “The wind of insecurity is now almost tsunami and even up to Mr. President’s doorstep in Katsina when he was home recently on holiday.
“What we expected was for those concerned to retrace their very unhelpful steps and get back to rekindling oneness in the country.
“We once more can call on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to restructure the country”.
