Right Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah, Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, has disclosed that he is really not bothered about the reactions over his Christmas message.
He said:
“Frankly, let me tell you the truth, I have not been able to read every comment or reaction to my statement but again people who know me know I won’t take offence or be bothered about what people say.
“I have said it many times that I say my mind, not that I am educating Nigerians, but I am very grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to express my views.
“We are all humans, I could be wrong, I could be right, people may agree or disagree with me. When you make your own contributions, people can see the difference.
“I never bothered myself with the comments, this country is ours to fix and we must fix it urgently,”
“To make it more interesting, a retired General from the North-West who is a Muslim has also released a statement on his handle to say all what I said is true,”
“I have no plan and will never play partisan politics for any reason. Those who link me to partisan politics because of my statement are only playing into the gallery.
“I have always been in a political terrain. Take for instance, I have listened to some brilliant Nigerian youths making comments about Chelsea or Arsenal and have never been to England. Most of the best commentators in football barely can’t kick a ball.
“So why will someone think because Bishop Kukah is speaking, therefore he is a politician? People who make this argument are totally ignorant of elementary politics and ignorant of the role of a priest.
“I understand and I agree with Nigerians that many people have probably not seen a priest saying the things I am saying which is okay. A lot of people have not seen a priest playing Ludo and when they see, it surprises them.
“The truth of the matter is a lot of us are into politics. Party politics, No. I am not a member of any political party and I cannot be. When it comes to voting, I perform my duties.