Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese has challenged the presidency to a debate on his comments on the state of the polity, rather than heaping sentiments and delving into areas that are not relevant to the plight of Nigerians.
He challenged it to take him up on all issues he raised against this government and tell the world whether they are the truth or not.
Last Sunday, Kukah, in his Easter message, spoke at length about Nigeria and lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari administration over security challenges, corruption and disunity being witnessed in the country.
However, the presidency has accused the Bishop of neglecting the Bible's teachings.
The Presidency on Monday told Kukah, to leave government to the voters and the politicians they elect, while he concentrates on his job, “as it is expressed in James 1:27″.
However, Kukah, who spoke on Arise Television, The Morning Show, on Tuesday in Lagos and monitored by metrobusinessnews.com, said his criticisms of the government have nothing to do with the personality of president Muhammadu Buhari, but with the way the country is being run.
He called out Lai Muhammed, information minister and the two presidential spokespersons, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu to a debate on issues affecting Nigerians and on issues he had raised.
"I challenge the three of them to a debate and they should choose the venue and time and discuss on the real issues affecting this country."
According to him, we have the worst presidential spokespersons ever.
.. Spokespersons who are only good in buying and photocopying papers, with the poorest quality of writing... They are used to writing statements as opposed to writing on policy issues on behalf of government.
"They have no contact with the president and just saying anything on behalf of the president."
He challenged them to disagree with his text rather than being diversionary and delving into areas they are not competent to speak on.
He admitted that he has his own short comings but the issues raised, which are personal, are obvious to almost all Nigerians that things are not going on well.
"Iam a public intellectual to provoke public discourse on national issues as are affecting us...Nepotism, for instance, denies a leader of the opportunity to hear from all sides on issues.
" What are the issues I have raised that have not been raised by other concerned Nigerians?"
Why I feel the way I feel about the country is because I have served four presidents and involved in series of reconciliatory, peace and many committees... I have paid my dues and where were these people at the critical period of this country..?"
ALSO READ:Nigeria Drops Again In Latest Transparency International Corruption Ranking
But President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Shehu, made the Presidency’s position known in a statement titled ‘Kukah’s virus of hate.’
Quoting different biblical passages, the presidential spokesman faulted the bishop, saying “from his pulpit, he devoted his Easter message not to Christ’s death and rebirth so man might be saved – but to damning the government in the most un-Christian terms.”
While accusing Kukah of neglecting Bible’s teachings, Shehu said Easter should be a time for renewal, and for hope and “not a time for religious leaders to play politics, or politicians to play religion.”
He added, “Nigeria knows too well Bishop Kukah’s views of the government. He has made quite clear how much he dislikes them from the day they were elected.
“Whether expressing his political views is a good use or an abuse of religious office is for others to decide. But the people of Nigeria have spoken- twice: they support this government at the ballot box. They have not been swayed by hateful talk from any bully-pulpit.
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
