Pascal Arogorn Ibe
The Presidency has cautioned an Islamic group , the Muslim Solidarity Forum , to be mindful of its utterances against the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah.
Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity , Garba Shehu, said though Kukah has offended many with his anti -Buhari remarks, under the Nigerian laws , groups or factions must not give quit notices to anyone but must tolerate religious and ethnic differences .
Kukah, in his December 25 message, had accused President Muhammadu Buhari of nepotism and failure to protect Nigerians. His message riled some nerves , especially in the camp of the pro- Buharists.
The cleric had said , “ One Northern Imam after the other have posted videos of lamentation on the social media asking why , with all the cards of power in the hands of northern Muslims , everything is bursting in the seams. How come our region has become a cesspool of blood and death ? Why did President Buhari hand over a majority of the plum jobs to Northern Muslims ? Was it for efficacy and efficiency ? What was the logic ? President Buhari must pause and turn around because his policy of nepotism has been rejected by the gods . ”
The acting Chairman of MSF , Prof Isa Maishanu , in a rather belated statement on Tuesday reacted to the cleric ’ s Christmas Message but Shehu urged the group to uphold the country’ s multi-religious principles.
Shehu said , “ The right for all religions to co- exist is enshrined in this country’ s Constitution. The duty of the government , more so , this democratic government , is to ensure that the Constitution is respected. But all must respect the rights and sensitivities of their fellow Nigerians .
“ Father Kukah has greatly offended many with his controversial remarks against the government and the person of the President , with some even accusing him of voicing anti – Islamic rhetoric .
“ On matters such as these , responsible leadership in any society must exercise restraint .
“ Knee -jerk reactions will not only cause the fraying of enduring relationships, but also the evisceration of peaceful communities such as Sokoto , the headquarters of the Muslim community as beacon of pluralism and tolerance.
“ The Sultanate has historically had good relations with followers of all faiths. That is why Father Kukah was received on his arrival in Sokoto with friendship and tolerance.
“ Under our laws, groups or factions must not give quit notices , neither should they unilaterally sanction any perceived breaches. Where they occur, it is the courts of law that should adjudicate . Unilateral action is not the way to go .
“ Groups such as the Muslim Solidarity Forum must be seen to share and uphold the country’ s multi-religious principles. And individuals like Father Kukah must respect the feelings of his fellow Nigerians in his private and public utterances. ”
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