The leadership of the Southern Nigeria and Middle Belt Forum has noted with concern and condemnation the outbursts by the Presidency and the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) over the Christmas Day Message of the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah.
In a statement jointly signed by Yinka Odumakin (South West), Chief Guy Ikoku, (South East), Senator Bassey Henshaw (South South) and Dr Isuwa Dogo (Middle Belt), the coalition said the outspoken cleric, who has been a beacon of truthfulness over the years, remains a foremost defender of the aspirations of millions of Nigerians across ethnic and religious lines.
“On this occasion, his comments have been applauded by majority of Nigerians and we all stand with him.
“We want to remind the Federal government and its attack dogs that in the past, they had equally welcomed the forthright views of this man of God even as it favoured them. So, why attack him now when he cautions them on their divisive policies,” the coalition said.
The forum also stated that the country had become terribly divided along all kinds of lines, adding that it was shameful and indefensible that suddenly, the Federal Government was dominated by one small ethnic group and they expected all to keep quiet like slaves.
“Also, the wind of insecurity is now almost tsunami and even up to Mr. President’s doorstep in Katsina when he was home recently on holiday.
“What we expected was for those concerned to retrace their very unhelpful steps and get back to rekindling oneness in the country. We once more can call on the Federal overnment to take urgent steps to restructure the country,” the coalition said.
It also reminded those concerned that the voice of truth and reason can never be suppressed.
“Bishop Kukah remains a national icon, a hero of the masses. We, therefore, demand immediate apology to him for the baseless attacks,” the coalition added.