The Order of The Knights of Saint Mulumba Nigeria (KSM) has warned the Federal Government that no harm must befall its Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev (Fr) Matthew Kukah.
This follows a threat by Muslim Solidarity Forum to Kukah to ‘apologize or quit Sokoto’.
In a statement on Saturday by its Supreme Knight, Sir Diamond Ovueraye, the church condemned the stance of the Federal Government on the threat issued to Kukah.
He noted with dismay that while presidential aide Garba Shehu’s statement riled on the Bishop it was deftly apologetic and patronising to a group that demonstrated scant regards to the nation’s grandmum which guarantees freedom of movement and the inalienable right of every Nigerian to live in any part of the country without let or hindrance.
The knights recalled that few days earlier the Federal Government had through the Minister of information and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, reacted: “vigorously to Kukah’s Christmas day Homily warranting further elucidation from the revered Bishop.” He therefore implored the government to always be dispassionate in assessing what it considers criticism and to always take in good faith: “constructive criticisms of its stewardship”.
“In the light of the needless furore that the Federal government reaction to Bishop Kukah’s Christmas day Homily had generated, Ovueraye tasked the government to ensure that nothing untoward happens to Bishop Kukah and all others who because of their love for Nigeria speak up when they see things going wrong. Let us demonstrate that irrespective of differences in tribe, religion and culture, we are all Nigerians. We must all look out for one another and contribute to building a virile nation which we will be proud of”, KSM added.
