BY Idris Shehu
The Ecumenical Youth Association (EYA) has tackled the presidency for labelling Matthew Kukah, bishop of Sokoto Catholic diocese, “ungodly” over his recent comment on the state of the nation.
Delivering his Easter message on Sunday, Kukah had described Nigeria as a “killing field” under President Muhammadu Buhari.
Reacting to the bishop’s message, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, in a statement, claimed Kukah distorted facts on the security challenges affecting the country.
However, EYA, in a statement issued on Monday, defended the bishop’s position and condemned the outburst of the presidency.
The group said the presidency lashed out at criticism when such wisdom should be adopted for effective governance.
EYA also poked holes in the argument that Kukah was overcritical of the president, stating that Buhari is accountable to all Nigerians.
“His message did not in any way undermine the government, but rather it’s the unwarranted, insensitive and ill-informed attack by the presidency on his person and character, that has undermine the pains, sorrow, hunger and insecurity et al, being experienced by orphans, widows, widowers and the entire citizenry,” the statement reads.
“Rather than castigating and warning him by saying he is playing politics and his counsel is ungodly, the federal government should have paid him for such a consistent and courageous, wise, godly, constructive counsel by giving unreserved attention to the issues raised.
“For the presidency to have warned Kukah to stop dragging President Buhari’s name into issues that don’t concern him, is quite low. The President is answerable to all Nigerians and everything that happens in Nigeria concerns all of us including Bishop Kukah.
“We urge the presidency to desist from intimidating those that are giving constructive and restructive counsel for the good of the country, and also supporting those who survive by praise singing and give advice based on their greed and not the need and grief of the nation.”
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