Bishop Kukah Accuses Kogi Governor Of Causing Violence In The State, Urges Labour To Embrace Peace In Imo

By Ayodele Oni

The National Peace Committee, has frowned at the turn of events in Kogi state less than 72 hours to the Governorship poll.

A member of the Committee and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, blamed the State Governor Yahaya Bello, for being behind the spate of pre-election violence in the state describing him as “a poor representation of the teeming Nigerian youths.”

Bishop Kukah, who spoke against the backdrop of current disturbing violence in the North Central state ahead of the November 11 governorship election, said of Governor Bello; “Sadly, I think he’s been a very poor advertisement for what young people can do.”

Speaking during an interview on Channels TV Sunrise Daily Programme on Wednesday, the Bishop said; “I feel very sad because Kogi has been on the front burner, and Yahaya Bello, the Governor, prided himself of being the youngest governor and being a representation of what the youths of this country can do if they are given the opportunity.”

On the current face-off between the Labour Movement leadership in the country and the Imo state government, Bishop Kukah sued for peace, even as he urged all parties and stakeholders concerned to sheath their swords and allow for peaceful elections in the State.

Bishop Kukah, urged the Organized Labour to explore a peaceful resolution to the conflict, said.

“We keep making the point, the people who are contesting elections are our sons and daughters and whatever we do, in conscience, we must always think about the common good.

“Civil society organisations, unions, and churches with a bit of moral authority must always act in the common interest of everybody. Without a country, there will be no trade union.

“All you need to do is just look outside the window and see what is happening in the Middle East today, specifically in Israel and Gaza.

“When elections go wrong, it is ordinary people who suffer. I hope the labour leaders in Imo will really be more circumspect and ask themselves ‘Who stands to gain and who stands to lose what?’ At the end of the day, it is the people of Imo, they are not electing someone who is outside their state.

“Imo is a deeply Christian environment and I hope their religious leaders and others with moral authority can prevail on the Union to defer whatever may be their grievance.

“This can only be resolved in a peaceful environment. We appeal to them to do what is needed and ensure that elections are duly conducted. Our people have suffered enough.”

While appealing to the police and other relevant agencies to ensure security during the governorship elections in the three states, the Catholic Clergy said the people’s welfare and well-being cannot be sacrificed on the altar of personal or group interests.

“It’s very difficult to make this point, but sometimes we in Nigeria behave as if we are just a bunch of spoilt people. If we look outside the window and see what is happening elsewhere, the earthquakes, human and natural disasters that have afflicted the world.

“And we have to ask ourselves, ‘What have we done to God that he has been so magnanimous and gracious to us?’ Why do we turn the sword on ourselves?”