‘We Won’t Encourage Any Other Form Of Government’ – Northern Elders Reply Kukah

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has told the Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, that it will not encourage any other form of government apart from democracy.

The forum was reacting to Kukah’s Christmas message on Friday in which he accused the President of nepotism, incompetence, and failure to secure the lives and properties of Nigerians.

Kukah’s message reads: “This government owes the nation an explanation as to where it is headed as we seem to journey into darkness.

‘The spilling of this blood must be related to a more sinister plot that is beyond our comprehension…

“President Buhari deliberately sacrificed the dreams of those who voted for him to what seemed like a programme to stratify and institutionalise northern hegemony by reducing others in public life to second class status.

“He has pursued this self-defeating and alienating policy at the expense of greater national cohesion.

“Every honest Nigerian knows that there is no way any non-Northern Muslim President could have done a fraction of what President Buhari has done by his nepotism and gotten away with it.

“There would have been a military coup a long time ago or we would have been at war.

“However, God does not sleep. We can see from the inexplicable dilemma of his North.”

Reacting to Bishop Kukah’s statement, NEF’s Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, agreed that the Buhari administration lacks respect for inclusiveness, it is irresponsible to search for undemocratic solutions.

In an interview with The Nation, Baba-Ahmed said the country is paying a heavy price for mediocrity and ineffectiveness in key areas of decision-making under President Buhari.

He, however, said the Forum will not encourage any other form of government other than democracy. He faulted Bishop Kukah for suggesting that President Buhari be removed through an undemocratic process

Baba-Ahmed opined that Nigerians who feel there are sufficient grounds to challenge the administration should seek redress in court.

He said: “The Northern Elders Forum will not encourage even contemplation of any other form of government other than one that emerges democratically.

“There are many grounds to question the competence and sensitivity of President Buhari’s administration.

“Even his most ardent supporters, if he has any, that is, will wish he has shown greater respect for inclusion and accountability of those he chooses to trust with power.

“The nation is paying a heavy price for mediocrity and ineffectiveness in key areas of decision-making under President Buhari.

“There is, however, a judicial recourse for abuse of constitutional provisions for federal character in all matters of governance.

“Nigerians who feel there are sufficient grounds to challenge the administration should take advantage of that provision.

“The Forum believes that it is irresponsible to search for solutions to President Buhari’s poor governance outside the democratic process.”