Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, has urged President Bola Tinubu to address Nigeria’s deepening crises of insecurity, hunger, and despair.
The outspoken Bishop said this in his Easter message.
Kukah likened the state of the nation to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, stating that Nigerians have been “dangling and bleeding on this cross of pain and mindless suffering for too long.”
While bemoaning the level of suffering and challenges in the country, he told Tinubu, “Mr. President, bring us down from this cross of evil."
“We all admit that you neither erected this cross nor effected our collective crucifixion. Nonetheless, you are now in a position to bring us relief.
“A culture of cynicism and self-doubt over our capacity to secure peace for ourselves pervades our land," he added.
Kukah expressed deep concern over the worsening state of national security, warning that “marauders, murderers, savages, and ravenous predators” threaten to overrun the country.
“Often, we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future. The road to our collective discouragement in Nigeria has been laid by these forces of darkness. Mr. President, immediately rid our dear country of them," he added.
The Bishop also criticized the persistent hunger and economic hardship plaguing millions of citizens, calling for food security to be recognized as a fundamental human right.
“Hunger, sickness, and desolation stalk the land. We still believe removing fuel subsidies was the right move, but Nigerians must now see tangible benefits.
“Mere palliative distribution diminishes the dignity of citizens. Mr. President, bring us down from this painful cross of hunger,” he stated.
Referencing past statements by political figures about enabling insecurity to achieve political goals, Kukah lamented how the situation has deteriorated into a full-blown crisis.
“Some of our public officers confessed that they brought our current killers into the country to gain power.
"Today, that strategy has grown into a cancer of insecurity and violence threatening the very foundation of our country,” he said.
He warned that bandits and kidnappers have become entrenched in everyday life, turning Nigeria into a nation gripped by fear and lawlessness.
“Kidnapping is now a dog whistle for undermining the structure of our country. We now hang on the cross at the mercy of these forces of darkness.
"Mr. President, please bring us down from this cross of insecurity.”
Bishop Kukah further challenged President Tinubu to lead with courage, justice, and compassion, calling on Nigerians to unite and restore the nation’s lost hope.
“We are the light of the world, a city set on a hill,” he said, urging collective effort to push back the darkness.
“Is the persistence of insecurity a reflection of the incapacity of our armed forces, or are some benefitting from prolonging this crisis? Mr. President, step up, get to the finishing line, and bring us down from this cross of shame,” Kukah admonished.