The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, has said the role of prophets brings discomfort to those in power when the government is suffering the crisis of legitimacy.
Kukah stated this in his sermon at the silver jubilee celebration of Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza held on Tuesday at St. Theresa’s Cathedral, Yola, Adamawa State.
Bishop Kukah said friction arises with politicians only when they do not do what they promised to do during their campaigns.
He said: “Friction arises only when politicians do not do what they promised to do during their campaigns, when they turn public trust into a family tustfund, when they watch the faces of their people scarred by poverty and squalor and look the other way.
“How do we create a balance between our prophetic role and the discomfort it often brings to those in power? It is significant to note that this conflict often occurs when a government is suffering the crisis of legitimacy.
He said: “Friction arises only when politicians do not do what they promised to do during their campaigns, when they turn public trust into a family tustfund, when they watch the faces of their people scarred by poverty and squalor and look the other way.
“How do we create a balance between our prophetic role and the discomfort it often brings to those in power? It is significant to note that this conflict often occurs when a government is suffering the crisis of legitimacy.
“Every honest leader must cross the threshold of prejudice. It is the only way we can build a complicated society like Nigeria. Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping and all the negative things that threaten to drown our country are evidence of how the consequences of our becoming prisoners to prejudice.
“For us in Nigeria, celebrations are a great part of the tapestry of our lives. In 2011, we entered the New Year with a staggering announcement that out of over 150 countries that were surveyed, Nigerians were the happiest people in the world. In 2019, we fell to 85th position and in January this year, we are ranked 116 out of 154 countries. This is why, we must ask the question whether our glory is about to depart.
“The pain and suffering that Boko Haram has inflicted on our country will scar our society for life. It has taken us to the bottom of the hill”.