Southern Kaduna Union: Those Who Threatened Kukah Must Be Arrested

 

The Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) has demanded the arrest of those who “threatened” Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Mathew Kukah.

Recall that the Muslim Solidarity Forum asked Kukah to apologize for his alleged attack on Islam or vacate the caliphate following his Christmas message where he had accused President Muhammadu Buhari of nepotism.

Reacting to the threat on Monday at a conference in Kaduna, SOKAPU’s president, Jonathan Asake, expressed that is obvious that southerners get harassed when they criticize Buhari’s government, but if the criticism comes from “the core north,” no one raises an eyebrow.

He expressed that the points raised by Kukah in his message is in not different from what had been said by certain persons from the north, even in “a more critical manner.”

He cited the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III and the Northern Elders Forum as examples of voices that have strongly condemned President Buhari.

He said the criticism from this set of people never attracted condemnation and threats, alleging that the action has shown the discriminatory nature of the Buhari administration.

“It appears to us, therefore, that comments by Nigerians attract different reactions from the government, depending on the region, ethnicity, and religion of the person making such comments,” Asake said.

“It’s sad to note that when persons of core Northern extraction criticize the government; they are taken as kind words, but when the same statements are made by people of Southern or Middle Belt extractions; they are harassed and tormented and their comments branded as treasonable by the government.

“This discriminatory posture of government clearly shows that the Buhari-led administration treats Nigerian citizens differently; some as first-class and others considered as second class.

“When the respected Bishop Kukah criticized the government in his Christmas homily, all hell broke loose from Northern elements who have consistently exhibited intolerance since the assumption of Buhari as the President.

“Sadly so, his glaring nepotism, chauvinism, and bigotry in his governance style seem to lend credence to this perception,” part of the statement read.