Bishop Mathew Kukah, Archbishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, has appealed to the federal government to address economic hardship and reduce petrol prices, News About Nigeria reports.
Kukah spoke at The Progressive Institute’s unveiling in Abuja, a brainchild of Abdullahi Ganduje, the party’s national leader.
“I asked a girl about her political party, and she said, ‘I am hungry,” Kukah shared a story.
“I once asked a girl if she was in the APC, PDP, or Labour and she said, ‘I am hungry.’ And so, since I am speaking to those who are in power, please know that we, Nigerians, are hungry.
“Find a way of reducing the price of fuel. Find a way of keeping our country secure. That will be the greatest legitimacy of any government.”
The clergyman also raised concerns about the unhealthy practice of public office holders and government officials’ continual invitation to spiritualists and ritualists whenever they are appointed, to the detriment of the people who voted them into power.
“I will always honour the invitation of every political party. Even if it is APC, PDP, or LP that calls me, I will go. I am a twin. Our grandmother used to say the mother of twins cannot afford to sleep on one side.
“By virtue of being a priest, people say I am a politician. I am not a politician but I am political.
“I am concerned about the quality of democracy and politics in Nigeria. I therefore made the point that there is a growing fear that as soon as our leaders are elected, marabouts, spiritualists, ritualists, and all kinds of people hide behind the throne of power.
“So rather than being guided by science, major decisions are taken through the necromancy of illiterate people, who are seated somewhere chewing kola nuts and doing nothing with their lives, except projecting on what is going to happen.
“This is why I think this Progressives Institute is important because we need to move towards science,” he noted.
He expressed fear that leaders consult spiritualists, making decisions based on necromancy rather than science.
The Nasarawa State APC Chairman, Aliyu Bello, defended Tinubu, saying critics are no different.
Bello acknowledged hunger but assured that Tinubu is working on solutions through the APC.
Hope Uzodimma, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, justified Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy and naira flotation.
Uzodimma explained that temporary challenges would give way to stability, citing intervention funds and emergency policies.
