Easter 2023: Bishop Kukah sends tough message to Buhari, Tinubu, Supreme Court

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, offered a prayer to God, asking for guidance for President Muhammadu Buhari as he approaches the end of his second tenure on May 29, 2023.

In his 2023 Easter message, Kukah addressed the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, and emphasized that the most urgent task facing Nigeria is not just infrastructure or empty rhetoric about the dividends of democracy, Daily Trust reported.

The fearless cleric also directed his message to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which is currently handling issues arising from the 2023 general elections and being closely watched by Nigerians.

Bishop Kukah expressed his concern that the political class has invaded the sacred temples of justice, casting doubt on the court's reputation as the last hope for citizens.

He urged the justices to uphold their conscience and integrity and make decisions based on the spirit of the law and the best interests of the country.

"We pray that God gives you the wisdom to see what is right and the strength of character and conscience to stand by the truth," said Kukah.

Kukah reminded President Buhari of the dreams and goals he set for himself, such as ending banditry, defeating corruption, and bringing back the missing girls, and expressed hope that he would reflect on his achievements as he prepares for retirement in Daura or Kaduna.

He commended the president for acknowledging him as his number-one public critic and reiterated that his criticisms were not out of malice, but a desire for the best for the country.

"May God guide you in retirement while we all embark on the challenge of reclaiming the country we knew before you came," Kukah prayed.

Meanwhile, Bishop Kukah said he is hopeful that Tinubu will understand that the most urgent mission for Nigeria at this time is not just infrastructure, but also addressing the psychological and emotional well-being of its citizens.

He called for unity, inclusivity, and freedom from ethnic and religious bias, urging the country to recover from the damage caused by corruption and darkness.

He also highlighted the need to combat nepotism and religious bigotry to pave the way for a brighter future.

“I am hopeful that you (President-elect) will appreciate that the most urgent task facing our nation is not infrastructure or the usual cheap talk about dividends of Democracy. These are important but first, keep us alive because only the living can enjoy infrastructure," he said.