Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has described as unfair and repressive, Federal Government’s reaction to the message of the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah.
Kukah’s Christmas message in which he accused President Muhammadu Buhari of nepotism and saying it would have led to a coup if a non-Northern Muslim had done half of it has continued to generate controversy.
Ortom, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Terver Akase said, “Bishop Kukah is a selfless Nigerian who only seeks to unite the nation and speaks his mind frankly on national issues calling on the government to serve the people.
“The Governor suggests that instead of politicizing the views of the Bishop and castigating him, the Federal Government should take a second look at the things he raised in the Christmas Day message to avoid throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
“He stresses that Nigeria is practicing democracy which guarantees the freedom of speech to all citizens and not a military regime which suppresses the right of the people to voice their opinions on challenges facing their country.
“Governor Ortom says it is incumbent on the Federal Government to listen to the views of the people and take steps to address the worrisome security situation and other problems confronting the country rather than combatively engaging anyone who dares to hold an alternative opinion.
“He stresses that at this challenging time in the country’s history, the people expect their leaders to be tolerant, patient, humane, sincere, and always seek to address the issues that affect shared interests of citizens.
“He says the Bishop’s statement is a true reflection of the current situation in Nigeria and urges President Muhammadu Buhari not to listen to sycophants who may tell him that everything is well with the country. All is not well.
“Governor Ortom states that Kukah is not the first to say that hundreds of innocent Nigerians are being killed in cold blood by bandits, kidnappers, armed herdsmen and other terrorists.
“The renowned Bishop is not the first to call on the leadership of the country to strengthen security agencies and be proactive in combating the wave of violence and killings in parts of the country. Many other Nigerians have been making the same call on daily basis.
“He was not the first to suggest that the President should be the father of all and not of only a section of the country or a particular ethnic group.
“The Governor points out that even under the worst dictatorships, courageous citizens express their views on issues of national interest. Nigeria which is a democratic nation cannot be an exception.
“He says whipping into silence, men and women of honour who speak against injustice will not take the country to greater heights. The Governor states that the government needs critics who make constructive observations and recommendations for it to work in the interest of the people.
“According to him, great nations of the world got to their enviable heights by harnessing and utilizing ideas of their citizens, not by discouraging those who made bold submissions on the development of their countries.
“Governor Ortom believes in the unity, growth and potential of Nigeria to overcome its current economic and security challenges and live up the true meaning of its title as the Giant of Africa.”
