Buhari Sacrificed Nigerians’ Dreams On Altar Of Nepotism – Bishop Kukah

BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Most Reverene Father Matthew Hassan Kukah has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of crass nepotism like never experienced in the history of Nigeria.

Bishop Kukah, who stated this in his Christmas message titled; “A Nation in Search of Vindication” delivered in Sokoto on Friday, noted that President Buhari has succeeded in sacrificing the dreams of Nigerians on the altar of nepotism by pursuing Northern hegemony.

The Bishop pointedly said that President Buhari has deliberately sacrificed the dreams of those who voted for him for what seemed like a programme to stratify and institutionalise northern hegemony by reducing others in public life to second-class status.

According to Kukah, President Buhari has pursued this self-defeating and alienating policy at the expense of greater national cohesion.

He specifically said that Nigeria appeared to be heading for darkness under the Buhari’s regime, stressing that the time has come for the government to explain the mystery behind the endless bloodletting in the country occasioned by insecurity.

This is as Bishop Kukah described Nigeria as a rudderless country where the citizens are travelling in a boat devoid of a Captain or crew and without any map and destination in sight.

In the words of Bishop Kukah; “This government owes the nation an explanation as to where it is headed as we seem to journey into darkness. The spilling of blood must be related to a more sinister plot that is beyond our comprehension. Are we going to remain hogtied by these evil men or are they gradually becoming part of a larger plot to seal the fate of our country?

“Every honest Nigerian knows that there is no way any non-northern Muslim President could have done a fraction of what President Buhari has done by his nepotism and got away with it. There would have been a military coup a long time ago or we would have been at war. The President may have concluded that Christians will do nothing and will live with these actions.

Kukah further said that Buhari’s nepotism and commitment to reinforcing the foundations of northern hegemony has dire implications, even as he noted that prominent northerners with conscience have raised the red flags, pointing out the consequences of his nepotism on national cohesion and trust.

The Bishop said that against the backdrop of Nigeria’s endless woes, Nigeria has become a nation embroiled in desolation with the prospects of a failed state staring the citizens in the face, but however urged Nigerians not to give up despite the pains, sorrow and uncertainty in the land.

Kukah said; “Yes, our dreams have been aborted. Yes, our commonwealth has been stolen. Yes, our cancer of corruption has metastasised. Yes, we have been guilty of patricide, fratricide and attempted even suicide. Yes, we are hungry, angry, thirsty and starving.

“Yet, we stand firmly with the unshaken belief that no matter the temptations, the world has known worst times. These may be the worst of times, but for men and women of faith, they could be the best of times. We must stand firm and resolute because, our redeemer liveth (Job 19:25).”

The bishop noted that the recent abduction of Kankara schoolboys in Katsina State as well as the kidnappings of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State and Dapchi in Yobe State, further revealed the dangers children are exposed to in the northern part of the country.

Kukah said that the challenge now is how to deal with the scars inflicted by a derelict nation which is still unable or unwilling to protect its citizens.

The Bishop further said; “The larger issues now are whether the Federal Government understands the evil web of intrigues into which Boko Haram has tied it. Will the Federal Government continue to reward and fund Boko Haram by playing its game?”