The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah has said that identities and religions should not be the problems of Nigerians.
He explained this at the high-level forum on political communication and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2023 general election organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in partnership with the Kukah Centre on Monday.
According to him, “Our identities are not the problems, identity has been weaponised by politicians. Religion should not ordinarily be a problem. But politicians have made an issue out of it. The issue that should form the basis for the next election must be outlined.”
Kukah said, “Our diversity as a people has not been well managed, politicians must ask questions on what they want to be known for.”
The eminent cleric admonished politicians and political candidates to transcend telling Nigeria they would fight corruption and start addressing issues that affect the citizens’ wellbeing.
“We should not be talking about Muslim-Muslim ticket. We need to re-imagine Nigeria. As I speak, my nephew and their driver have been kidnapped. They’re asking for about N50 million. I have spent N30 million and I am not ashamed to say it. I don’t feel safe.
“We need to protect this country. We’ve passed the Electoral Bill. That’s just the beginning. We need to convince Nigerians that their votes will count.
“You can tell Nigerians about the Electoral Act. But they need to be sure. We don’t need a messiah as Nigeria’s next president. The next election is about every Nigerian finding a seat in the tent,” he said.
He went further to say that Nigerians do not need a messiah as their next president in 2023.
