Bishop Kukah Blames Tinubu for Stampedes, Calls for End to Hunger, Restoration of Human Dignity

By: Olufemi Orunsola 

Known his vocal criticisms of governments in Nigeria, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has criticized the federal government for its failure to address the widespread hunger and economic hardship that have led to deadly stampedes in several parts of the country.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the Catholic Bishop who made his position known in his Christmas message, during his unequivocally stated that the Federal Government should take responsibility for the tragic incidents, which occurred last week during food palliative distributions in Oyo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), resulted in the deaths of at least 67 people.

Bishop Kukah, described these tragedies as a symbol of the desperation many Nigerians are experiencing due to the government’s inability to respond effectively to the country’s deepening hunger crisis.

“The tragedies that occurred in Okija, Ibadan, and Abuja, where innocent people lost their lives in stampedes at food distribution points, are a metaphor for the desperation that citizens have been thrown into,” Kukah said.

He attributed these avoidable deaths to the government’s failure to adequately address the economic crisis, stressing that the lack of concrete measures to tackle hunger has exacerbated the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.

The bishop expressed dismay over Nigeria’s stagnation despite its 60 years of independence, lamenting the lack of progress in governance, which he blamed on entrenched issues of ethnicity, nepotism, and greed.

He called on the government to work more closely with institutions, such as the Catholic Church’s St. Vincent de Paul Society, which helps provide for the vulnerable to address the widespread poverty and hunger.

Kukah also highlighted the barriers preventing Nigeria’s youth from participating in politics, particularly the high cost of running for public office. While he acknowledged the positive impact of the “Not Too Young to Run” initiative, he noted that the financial and bureaucratic hurdles still make it difficult for young people to engage in politics.

The bishop urged the government to extend educational loan schemes to those pursuing vocational and technical skills, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to all, not just those attending universities.

In his message, the Bishop also addressed the country’s insecurity, saying they are off shoots of corruption, unemployment, and religious extremism.

Bishop Kukah called for a comprehensive plan to secure the country, warning that Nigeria cannot win the war against insecurity without tackling these underlying issues.

While mourning the tragic loss of lives in the recent stampedes, Bishop Kukah blamed the systemic failure of government for the tragedy, calling on the government to ensure that the basic dignity of Nigerian citizens is restored, and to work more effectively with institutions that promote the common good of society.

He however, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for peace in the country.

"May God grant eternal rest to the dead and console their families. It is the duty of government to ensure minimum dignity for our people," the Bishop prayed.