The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has clarified that he did not call for a coup in Nigeria.
Kukah said he has no problem with President Muhammadu Buhari, but with his leadership style.
The bishop’s scathing opinion on the state of the nation has sparked controversy in the country, with some interests, including the Presidency, accusing the cleric of calling for the President’s removal through undemocratic means.
But Kukah has insisted that his Christmas message was misconstrued.
“Whatever I said can please or displease anyone, but that is my own opinion and doesn’t stop others from saying their own opinion. If you think my motive is wrong, say yours,” he told reporters.
According to the bishop, a section of the media painted a wrong picture of his position.
“It is unfair for a journalist or news medium to report that I called for a coup while expressing my personal views about Nigeria.
“I have no iota of grudge with President Muhammadu Buhari, but what I strictly and categorically said was that using religion as a tool for playing politics is unacceptable and would not be accepted,” Kukah said.
He added that his comments were not intended to cause any disaffection.
“My message was an opinion and for the love of the country,” he said, emphasising that he reserved the right to express his views on national issues.
“I am a Northerner, born and brought up in Barnawa village, a suburb of Kaduna and I hold no grudges against any northerner, be it Muslim or Christian,” Kukah said.
He lamented the loss of lives due to rising insecurity, saying: “I am pained and sad that my critics fail to see that.
“The loss of lives in the last 10 years and even before the advent of the current government calls for concern.”
The cleric said he hoped for a country where justice, peace and fairness will prevail.
On criticisms of his comments, he said: “The reactions are a reflection of every citizen that makes up the country.
“I am someone who doesn’t take offence in what others say about me.
“What I said was my opinion based on evidence and the happenings in the country and if you look into the records, there is evidence that justifies that statement, and if anyone thinks I am wrong, they should come out with a superior position.”
The Bishop said he had no partisan interest in politics. “There is no Catholic Priest available for party politics in Nigeria,” he said.
He told those that asking him to drop his cassock to join the political fray that he would have only done so had he lived during the time of the late Aminu Kano.
“I have no plan and will never play partisan politics for any reason. Those who link my message to partisan politics are only playing to the gallery.
“Take, for instance, brilliant Nigerian youths making comments about Chelsea or Arsenal and have never been to England. Does that make them players of such club sides?
“So, why will someone think because Bishop Kukah is speaking, therefore, he is a politician?
“People who make this argument are ignorant of elementary politics and ignorant of the role of a Priest.
“The truth is that a lot of us have not seen a priest saying what I am saying. The truth of the matter is, we are all in politics, but party politics for me, no.
“I am not a member of any political party and I cannot be. If it comes to voting, I exercise my right,” the Bishop said.