Kukah vs Buhari: Prominent Nigerians react as Arewa youths call for cleric's arrest
- Bishop Kukah's critical statement against President Buhari has continued to generate heated reactions from Nigerians
- While Arewa youths group called for Kukah's arrest, many Nigerians, including some former senators have expressed solidarity with the bishop
- A former Bayelsa senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, also offered to facilitate a meeting between President Buhari and Bishop Kukah in the interest of peace
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Matthew Kukah, bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, recently issued a statement where he accused President Muhammadu Buhari of nepotism and incompetence.
The respected cleric also claimed that there could have been a coup or war in the country if a non-northern Muslim becomes a president and does a fraction of what President Buhari has done.
In its reaction, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) described Kukah's statement as unguarded and open incitement to a military coup.
Source: Twitter
In a statement signed by its national president, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, on Sunday, December 27, and sent to Legit.ng, the group said it was an insurrection against the democratically elected government of President Buhari.
Thus, the northern group called for the arrest and prosecution of the bishop for what it described as a treasonable felony against the Nigerian state.
Nigerians react on social media
The Arewa youths' statement has also attracted the attention of many Nigerians on social media as they express diverse views.
A former senator from Kogi, Dino Melaye, said on Twitter:
"Arrest or try to embarass Bishop Kukah and we will prove to you that Government is not owned by you but the people. They want to scare every body. Ko jooooo. Kill fear and speak the truth to power."
Also, a former senator from Bayelsa, Ben Murray-Bruce, said:
"I’m catholic, and so is Bishop Kukah. The religious faith in Nigeria is vital to our coexistence and must be seen as such. I, therefore, offer myself to bring together Bishop Kukah and President @MBuhari in the interest of Nigeria for a better understanding of each other."
Senator Shehu Sani, the former lawmaker from Kaduna, said:
"My Dear Northern Youths; leave the Kukah in Sokoto and fight the Bandits in your shokoto."
Dee Mom, @SweetMOMdee, said:
"This thing Bishop Kukah did pains me so much as a Catholic. How can a Catholic priest or any “Man of God” suggest a coup? To what end and for whose benefit?"
Anambra 1st son, @UchePOkoye, said:
"When Sultan Abubakar criticized Buhari, nobody called him out, not even the loudmouth BMC from South West.
"Sheik Gumi criticised Buhari and called him out, but what happened, nobody had the ball to say anything.
"But Bishop Kukah homily triggered the whole camps!
"Remain pressed!"
Ayò-Bánkólé Akíntújoyè, @AyoBankole, said:
"Bishop Kukah has been consistent in speaking truth to power. To a govt that has the interest of the country at heart, voices like that of Kukah should serve as a barometer to test the pulse of the people. But no,this regime has signed a pact with failure & oppression of Nigerians"
Oriyomi, @iosenolaide, said:
"Bishop Kukah as a man of God would have mind his winning souls for God business,not dabbles into politics that has consequently subjected him to ridicule. His assertions also stylishly referred to Hausa members of the armed forces as "coupists".
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Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Lauretta Onochie, President Buhari's aide on social media, lent her voice to the ongoing saga involving Bishop Kukah.
Onochie, in response, insinuated that Kukah's outburst may have come as a result of Buhari refusing to part with money.
In a post on her Twitter page on Monday, December 28, she said both the president and the cleric have met a number of times and she shared photos to back her claim.
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Source: Legit.ng
