Buhari still answers my calls – Bishop Kukah

Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, says he maintains very cordial relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari.

This is in spite of his frequent criticism of the Buhari administration.

Kukah said the president has not stopped picking his calls and always returned his calls when unavailable to pick.

The cleric, noted to have accused the president of nepotism and showing favouritism to the Muslim faith in political appointments, said love for country rather than hate had propelled his criticism of the government of the day.

Addressing journalists at St Bakhita Catholic Secretariat in Sokoto, on Friday, Kukah said he has maintained a cordial relationship with the president.

He added that his concern with the rising insecurity, killings in the country and “despotism” prompted his criticism of the administration rather than hatred.

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“If I pick up my phone and call Mr President now, he will pick it up. The other time he missed my calls he called me back and we greeted each other.

“But you know some people cry more than the bereaved. In a developed country, when you speak the truth, you will be celebrated. Look at how people are celebrating the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, but here people tag you as an enemy of the government.”

Kukah also endorsed the refusal of the President to assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, noting that political parties should be allowed the liberty to determine how they select candidates for election.