The Archbishop of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Bishop Mathew Kukah, on Friday, called on President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress to urgently address the economic difficulties plaguing the nation, highlighting that Nigerians are facing hunger.
Speaking at the unveiling of ‘The Progressive Institute’, a project by the Abdullahi Ganduje-led National Working Committee in Abuja, Kukah also urged the government to reduce the cost of Premium Motor Spirit commonly known as petrol, which was recently increased.
The hike has led to long queues at filling stations across the country.
“I once asked a girl if she is in the APC, PDP, or Labour and she said, ‘I am hungry.’ And so, since I am speaking to those who are in power, please know that we, Nigerians, are hungry. Find a way of reducing the price of fuel. Find a way of keeping our country secure. That will be the greatest legitimacy of any government,” the bishop stated.
Kukah further expressed concern over the increasing reliance on spiritualists and ritualists by public office holders, noting that this practice undermines the welfare of the citizens who voted them into power.
“I will always honour the invitation of every political party. Even if it is APC, PDP, or LP that calls me, I will go. I am a twin. Our grandmother used to say the mother of twins cannot afford to sleep on one side. By virtue of being a priest, people say I am a politician. I am not a politician, but I am political.
“I am concerned about the quality of democracy and politics in Nigeria. I therefore made the point that there is a growing fear that as soon as our leaders are elected, marabouts, spiritualists, ritualists, and all kinds of people hide behind the throne of power. So rather than being guided by science, major decisions are taken through the necromancy of illiterate people, who are seated somewhere chewing kola nuts and doing nothing with their lives, except projecting on what is going to happen. This is why I think this Progressives Institute is important because we need to move towards science,” Kukah added.
In response, Nasarawa State APC Chairman, Aliyu Bello, acknowledged the hunger in the country but defended President Tinubu’s efforts, asserting that solutions are on the way.
“Yes, there is hunger in the land. President Tinubu is working on it. This is because, for every problem, there must be a solution. By the grace of God, the solution is coming through the APC, not through any other person. This is because those who are talking are also not different from Bola Tinubu,” Bello remarked.
Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, in his keynote address, supported Tinubu’s removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, describing the resulting difficulties as temporary setbacks.
“These reforms are necessary. In addition, we have invested N200bn in an intervention fund to address urgent issues and other emergency policies that will improve food security, such as the duty waiver on food items as well as the distribution of fertilisers across the country. These initiatives represent the practical application of progressive principles. We believe in an active government working for the betterment of all citizens and dedication to creating opportunities for Nigerians to reach their full potential,” Uzodimma stated.
