Bishop Kukah: Presidency, MURIC Trying To Further Divide The Nation - CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has on Monday accused the Presidency and  Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) of attempting to further divide the nation by twisting the Christmas message delivered by Bishop Mathew Kukah.

Making this accusation in a statement, John Josep Hayab, the Vice Chairman of CAN described those twisting Kukah's message as sectional zealots that see the trouble in the country from the primordial views.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Under Buhari Is Journeying Into Darkness- Bishop Kukah

Further condemning the misleading and inciting statement of MURIC, CAN asked both international and local community to advise the leadership of MURIC against being a merchant of discord.

“CAN 19 in Northern states and Abuja has read with great shock attempts to further divide the nation by the Presidency, the leadership of MURIC and other individuals and groups aimed at twisting the crux of the homily Bishop Kukah gave at Christmas.

“Of grave misgiving is the baseless claim in a statement signed by the President of MURIC, Prof Ishaq Akintola that Bishop Kukah had referred to Islam as a violent religion and calls for a coup.

“CAN, therefore, condemns in its entirety the misleading and inciting statements of MURIC and its likes calling on the international, as well as the local community to particularly counsel Prof Akintola of MURIC to learn to walk the path of honour and not be a merchant of crisis.”

“A Nation In Search of Vindication”, “it is unable to find any expression suggesting an affront to Islam or a call for a coup,” adding that sadly, “MURIC aims to incite citizens against one another along the lines of faith instead of denouncing the insecurity witnessed across the country which is the point Bishop Kukah’s message.

“From the east to the south, west and all over the north, travelling has become a nightmare while hapless people are dragged from their homes for ransom.

“is fresh with the gruesome killings of 76 farmers in Borno State in early December 2020 whose crime was simply being farmers irking for a source of livelihoods for their families.

“Let the government do the right thing by creating a sense of inclusion for all sundry, defending the citizens from harm, bringing an end to the growing insecurity in towns, cities, and villages that we could attain greatness together,” the statement by Hayab read.

AllNews recalls that Kukah had in his Christmas message decried the nepotism by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to Kukah, Nigeria under the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration was leading Nigeria into darkness.

Following Kukah's comment, the minister for Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed warned religious leaders to stop fueling disunity amongst Nigerians.

Also reacting to Kukah's Christmas message, MURIC described his comments as inflammatory, reckless and unguarded.