The Catholic bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Reverend Matthew Kukah, has voiced his opinion on the ongoing agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra led by Nnamdi Kanu the leader of the IPOB group.
Reports stated that Kukah, likened Nigeria’s present predicament to the situation of the Israelites when they stood before the red sea.
The cleric made his comments while speaking at a national dialogue organized by the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development in Abuja.
He rebuked the IPOB group for wanting to split up the nation, insisting that Nigeria will remain united.
He stated: “We cannot recover territory from Boko Haram only to surrender it to others; we are Nigeria and Nigeria will continue to remain.
“This country belongs to all of us and I think it is important for us to understand that while the protester must have his voice, the one in power must also have his voice.
“We are before the red sea; this could either be Nigeria`s best or worst moment. It is time for us to realize our collective vulnerability.” Kukah stated that while Nigeria can exist without its citizens, we cannot exist without Nigeria.
According to the cleric, the reason we all existed in Nigeria is because there actually is a country to exist in. He urged Nigerians to take on the challenge of making the nation great and scolded public office holders for losing their patriotic streak once they leave office.
In his words: “Ministers become so patriotic when they are in office and I have seen them come down; no sooner had they lost their positions than their patriotism ended.’’
