Dr. Matthew Kukah who is the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese has sent warnings to Nigerians who have pledged loyalty to certain politicians and political parties not to send themselves to their early graves while trying to demonstrate their support for such candidates.
Africa Today News, New York reports that the National Peace Committee on Monday was forced to call for restrain and respect for the peace accord signed by all candidates owing to the fact that following the lifting of the ban on political campaigns by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on September 28, there has been a rise in intemperate language, intimidation, outright violence, particularly among supporters of leading presidential aspirants, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bola Tinubu of All progressives Congress (APC) and Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP) forcing
Kukah, who spoke when he appeared on a television programme, on Tuesday pointed out that Nigerians should see politicians as friends jostling for their piece of the national cake should not be taken too seriously.
His advice came hours after the presidential candidate of APC, Bola Tinubu and his PDP counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, bantered at the private wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja. He said the message from the banter is that political loyalists of both frontline presidential candidates for the 2023 election should be wise, eschew violence and not kill themselves for people drinking from the same pool.
‘These politicians are struggling and they’ve lived their lives struggling for the national cake which they will distribute amongst themselves. It is, therefore, in the interest of ordinary Nigerians to know that they have to vote to stay alive,’ he admonished.
Read Also: 2023 Elections: Vote Wisely, Kukah Advises Christians
Kukah also stressed that enthusiasts of politicians must understand that these politicians know themselves regardless of their grandstanding and posturing.
‘Supporters of candidates all over the country need to be a bit more restrained and wise. We ordinary people must figure out how to manage our passion when it comes to politics. Don’t take seriously the grandstanding of the politicians. All the things you see about them abusing themselves or quarrelling, you will think they will never shake hands. They are very good friends, and many of them drink from the same pool. So, don’t go and kill yourself for nothing. That is what that message is all about,’ he said.
Meanwhile, the role of the Church in the advocacy and promotion of peace, equity, justice and development in the democratic transition would be at the centre of discussion at the National Convention of the Knights of Saint Mulumba (KSM) next week in Abuja.
Delegates to the conference would also discuss the Catholic Church in Nigeria and growing challenges of supporting Christians and victims of religious conflicts in turbulent regions of the country.