Despite his numerous critiques of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev Father Matthew Hassan Kukah, claims that President Muhammadu Buhari picks up his phone calls.
When asked about his frequent critiques of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Kukah spoke to journalists at the St Bakhita Catholic Secretariat in Sokoto.
Kukah stated that he does not dislike the President, but is concerned about increased instability and deaths in the country, as well as his administration’s uneven appointments.
“Ours has become a house of horror with fear stalking our homes, highways, cities, hamlets and communities as bandits and insurgents maim lives at will”, Kukah said.
Despite his critiques, the cleric claims to have a friendly connection with the President.
He went on to say that the President still picks up his phone calls.
“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”, he stated.
Overzealous aides, he said, were attempting to drive a wedge between him and Buhari.
“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,” said Kukah who added that at nearly 70 years, nobody can stop him from telling the truth.
Kukah also backed the President’s refusal to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, arguing that political parties should have a say in how candidates are chosen for elections.
As a result, the Cleric advised the National Assembly to remove the clause in the Amendment Bill dealing with direct or indirect primaries so that the president could sign the bill.
