Northern Elders Forum hits Kukah for seeking Buhari’s removal

THE Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has criticised Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah for suggesting that President Muhammadu Buhari be removed through an undemocratic process.

The Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese in his Christmas message accused the President of nepotism.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has also faulted Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, for accusing Bishop Kukah of plotting President Buhari’s removal.

The minister had asked religious leaders to “refrain from stoking the embers of hatred and disunity”.

Although the forum said though it could not agree less with Bishop Kukah that the Buhari administration lacks respect for inclusiveness, it is irresponsible to search for undemocratic solutions.

Its Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said the country was paying a heavy price for mediocrity and ineffectiveness in key areas of decision-making under President Buhari.

He, however, said the forum would not encourage any other form of government than democracy.

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, 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.”

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) also faulted Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, for accusing Bishop Kukah of plotting President Buhari’s removal.

The minister had asked religious leaders to “refrain from stoking the embers of hatred and disunity”.

HURIWA said the minister was economical with the truth and went on the voyage of discovery when he misinterpreted Kukah.

The group said Kukah did not in any way advocate any violent overthrow of a democratically constituted government.

National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, and National Media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf, said even some northerners including the erstwhile member of the Federal House of Representatives in the second Republic Alhaji Junaid Mohammed had condemned President Buhari’s appointments.

HURIWA said in a statement: “All around the country, it is increasingly difficult for Nigerians to move freely because of the reign of terrorists and armed kidnappers.

“So, is this Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, operating from the moon that he never read nor was told about the persistent violence and bloodshed that his paymaster has totally lost control and cannot provide any meaningful solution to?

“Can this Lai Mohammed drive himself unaccompanied by a security detail from Lagos to Ibadan or from Abuja to Ilorin in Kwara State without being kidnapped or attacked?”