Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Matthew Kukah asks Buhari to embrace Nnamdi Kanu

CATHOLIC bishop of Sokoto Diocese Matthew Kukah has advised the federal government to look at the positives of Radio Biafra director Nnamdi Kanu and draw him closer rather that prosecuting him.

 

Over recent weeks, Igbo youths have been holding demonstrations across the country calling for the release of Mr Kanu who was arrested by security agents in Lagos. They have also been demanding the recreation of the defunct republic of Biafra which existed briefly between July 1967 and January 1970.

 

According to Bishop Kukah, since every Nigerian has the right to pursue his or her goal in life, the ongoing agitation for Biafra is legitimate. Speaking at the 41st convocation lecture of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, the cleric advised President Muhammadu Buhari to dialogue with Kanu and his fellow activists, in order to ensure peace.

 

At the event, Bishop Kukah spoke on the topic The Pursuit of Happiness: Some Thoughts On Human Rights, Freedom And Justice In Nigeria. While stressing that the arrest of Kanu by security operatives forced multitudes across the globe to embark on protests for his release, Bishop Kukah argued that no governor in Nigeria could command the number of people that the pro-Biafra leader brought out without any form of inducement.

 

Bishop Kukah said: “This country cannot continue this way. The Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (Massob) has the right to seek Biafra since we have freedom of expression.

 

"The problem of Nigeria should not be with Kanu but with those who let the door open. The president of Nigeria or any governor, unless he pays, cannot bring the number of people that Kanu brought out."

 

He called on Nigerians, especially politicians, to strip themselves of lust for power and greed for material gain, saying they do not bring happiness. While saying that some greedy individuals had truncated the peace and happiness that are due to the world, Bishop Kukah emphasised that the world can provide for the need of everybody but cannot provide for the greed of everybody.

 

Yesterday, Ohanaeze Ndigbo officials met with the two main pro-Biafra groups, Massob and the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob). Other groups which attended the meeting included the Igbo Youth Cultural Movement, the Bilea Human Right Initiative, United Eastern Congress and the Lower Niger Congress.