A Muslim group, the Coalition of Nigerian Muslim Professionals (CNMP), has rose in the defence of the Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Archdiocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, saying he spoke truth to power.
Kukah had in a Christmas Day message, berated President Muhamadu Buhari for practicing the politics of nepotism through lopsided appointments which Kukah described as self-defeating.
The CNMP in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Professor Mohammed Inuwa, said instead of attacks on Kukah, he should be commended for his boldness in speaking the truth to power.
The group said even though it acknowledged that President Muhammadu Buhari meant well for the country, it faulted him for some actions taken by his administration against the country’s unity.
The CNMP said Nigeria would have been a great place to live if it had three persons like Bishop Kukah who could speak the truth boldly and with the love of the country at heart.
The group urged President Buhari to see Kukah’s message as a wake-up call with a view to adjusting his policies and programmes for the betterment of the country and Nigerians.
The professionals say those attacking Bishop Kukah over the Christmas day message were doing so for pecuniary gains and not in the interest of the country.
The group also warned against twisting Kukah’s message to mean what he did not say, like a call for a coup, saying the Bishop was too learned to support such ignoble path of installing leadership.
The group said Nigerians with a conscience would not fall for the antics of those twisting the Bishop’s message.
