Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has expressed his deep disappointment in the Nigerian state, lamenting the absence of Federal Government presence in his community.
During an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, Kukah remarked, “Nigeria is a heck of a country, and because of where I come from, my expectations from the Nigerian state are quite minimal. If you go to my community today, there is no single sign of the presence of the federal government of Nigeria.”
He described the situation as a stark reflection of the government’s failure to meet its obligations to the people.
Kukah highlighted that the most pressing issue in Nigeria is the urgent need to end suffering, alleviate hunger, and restore the people’s confidence in the political process.
He pointed out, “Right now, Nigerians are severely frustrated, and most of the problems we face in our electoral practices are largely the manifestations of this deep-seated frustration.”
He emphasised the visible anger and frustration among the populace, stressing that addressing the needs of the people, particularly their hunger, should be the government’s priority.
Reflecting on a tragic event in Katsina, Kukah shared that one of the churches was destroyed, noting that “it had nothing to do with the church.”
He recounted how, nearly a year later, Almajiris walked into the parish house, knelt down, and apologized, admitting, “We were the ones who burnt the church, but we were sent.”
Kukah used this incident to underline the broader societal issues and the importance of fixing the country by focusing on citizenship, which he believes is currently in “suspended animation.”
Discussing the broader political landscape, Kukah criticised the “mental laziness” of Nigeria’s political elite, accusing them of avoiding direct engagement with ordinary Nigerians. He stated, “Politics, I often say, is a contact sport, but the Nigerian politician does not want to face the ordinary Nigerian.”
He further criticised the government’s approach to managing diversity, describing it as a missed opportunity, especially in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society like Nigeria.
Kukah also touched on his involvement with various committees in Nigeria, expressing frustration that his contributions have often been ignored. “I was a member of a committee where some of the things I said, if they were taken seriously, we would not be where we are today,” he said.
He acknowledged the progress made by Nigerian government but stressed that it has been insufficient in addressing the country’s most critical issues.
Kukah didn’t shy away from critiquing former President Buhari, particularly on his failure to manage the country’s diversity effectively.
He referred to Buhari’s remark about the South East being “just a dot on the map” as a “fatal mistake,” arguing that Nigeria’s leadership has often misunderstood the importance of constructing a unifying identity.
He stated, “For a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious society like Nigeria, you have to create a myth of identity because identity is a myth, and it is a constructed identity.”
Addressing the issue of state creation and governance, Kukah suggested that the creation of more states has been a significant problem for Nigeria.
He pointed out, “The problem with Nigeria is that we have seen identity as a problem, and the result is that our leaders are afraid because of their inability to manage it.”
In conclusion, Kukah expressed a deep sense of disillusionment, stating, “I’m not a bitter Nigerian, but I can’t say any Nigerian president sufficiently understood the cultural texture of what this country is.”
He called for a more profound and thoughtful approach to governance that addresses the root causes of Nigeria’s challenges.
NNEOMA UDENSI
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