Stop imposing Kukah on us, MURIC tells Nigerian Govt, backs JNI, Muslim Solidarity Forum over demands for apology

*Blasts Catholic Mission, others for backing controversial Bishop

By KEMI KASUMU

It appears the dust is yet to settle on the Kukah controversy as the Nigerian Islamic human rights body, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called on the Federal Government and the National Peace Committee (NPC) to desist from imposing Bishop Matthew Hasan Kukah on the Nigerian Muslims.

MURIC reminded Muslims that they have the right to boycott any committee or event in which the controversial bishop is involved.

It stated this in its latest press release of Tuesday, 19th January, 2020 signed by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER.

The rights group was speaking from the standpoint of the fact that some Muslims feel cheated that the Federal Government and security agencies, rather than acting against incitement of violence against state and Muslims as contained in Kukah’s Christmas message, they chose to stand with the “trouble maker” against the insulted Muslims.

A source within the Muslim Ummah had earlier told The DEFENDER that statement by Department of State Services (DSS), which talked about some people planning to incite religious violence was understood by them to mean a nice against religious groups expressing anger after being insulted as belonging to violent religion by Kukah whereas, he said, the service should have arrested the “erring” cleric like it would do against Islamic cleric committing similar offence.

He added that the statement, where Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency asked, following demand for apology or leave by Muslim Solidarity Forum Sokoto, that Kukah be allowed to practice his faith and politics in peace, was rather annoying and a way to make Muslims, who defended the Administration and their faith against “incitement and blackmail” by the bishop, to look like the transgressors.

In its latest release, MURIC was alarmed that, rather than call Kukah to order over his dragging of the faith of Christ in the mud creating controversies in the land, some Christian groups particularly Nigerian Chatolic Mission and Northern Christian organisations added fuel to the problem by endorsing his condemnable statement.

“We have watched in utter consternation in the past four weeks as some groups added fuel to the flame in the Kukah controversy. In particular, the Nigerian Catholic Mission and Northern Christian groups have arrogantly endorsed Bishop Kukah’s incinerating Christmas statement instead of dousing tension. Neither has the National Peace Committee (NPC) helped matters with its silence.

“Kukah himself added salt to injury by telling us that he did not know how or where he insulted Muslims. It means he is not ready to show remorse. Kukah will not recognise the dignity of his Muslim neighbor. He still believes that Muslims are there for him to push around and lampoon like school children.

“Meanwhile several Islamic organisations including the Jamaatu Nasr il-Islam (JNI), the Nigerian Islamic Center, Zaria and the Sokoto Muslim Solidarity Forum have demanded Kukah’s resignation from that committee. It must be a huge joke if the Federal Government or the NPC think this matter can be swept under the carpet or that it would soon be overtaken by events.

“We insist that this is not one of such issues that will just melt away like ice cream under the burning desert sun. Successive Nigerian governments have created a larger than life image for Bishop Kukah by giving him lofty positions particularly in federal commissions and committees without any objection from Muslims. But Kukah failed to appreciate the grace of Nigerians particularly that of Muslims who have always endorsed such appointments.

“Unfortunately instead of a proper appraisal the bishop used every opportunity of his public profile to pour invectives on Muslims. The latter continued to tolerate him until his cup of ingratitude overflowed and spilled.

“You can force a horse to the river but you cannot force it to drink there. Mediation is a tripartite obligation. The two warring parties must be willing to come to the table. Both of them must also accept the mediator. A situation where one party has no confidence in the mediator necessitates bringing in a more credible person to mediate.

“Nigerian Muslims have told the National Peace Committee (NPC) that Bishop Kukah is no longer acceptable to them as Secretary and member of that Committee but surprisingly there is dead silence on the part of the NPC. Is that how to work for peace?

“NPC must scout around for a credible person to replace Kukah. We mean a non-controvertial personality, not a politician and not necessarily a religious leader. NPC may also want to go further if it so desires by coopting other middle-roaders and patriotic citizens.

“In case the NPC fails to act, Nigerian Muslims are hereby reminded that it is their Allah-given fundamental human right to boycott (or stage a walkout from) any event in which Bishop Mathew Hasan Kukah is involved either as the chairman, secretary, member, guest or speaker.

“It was Edmund Burke who said, ‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’ and Abraham Lincoln complemented him by adding, ‘To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men’. Muslims must liberate themselves from Kukah’s grip if the NPC and FG refuse to tame this shrewd,” MURIC said.