A civil society organisation, the Osun Youth Initiative for Good Governance (OYIGG), has urged Bishop Matthew Kukah to stay away from partisan political matters and focus on his clerical responsibilities.
In a statement signed by its National Convener, Dr. Adeyemi Akande, on Monday in Osogbo, the group described Bishop Kukah as a controversial cleric whose actions, it alleged, could undermine the peace and stability of Osun State.
The group urged the Catholic bishop to join a political party and obtain a nomination form if he wishes to participate in politics, arguing that it is inappropriate for a cleric of his standing to be perceived as supporting what it described as a failed administration under the guise of promoting a peace accord.
OYIGG further called on Bishop Kukah to concentrate on promoting peace in Sokoto and the North-West rather than involving himself in political issues in southern Nigeria.
According to the statement:
“Everyone knows Bishop Kukah as a controversial figure. You should not come to Osun State to create tension, as we believe you have done in Sokoto and other parts of the North-West.
“If you do not desist from what we consider hypocritical conduct, we will have no option but to petition the Pope. It is surprising to hear you speak about human rights when, in our view, your actions do not reflect those principles. We believe you should not interfere in the affairs of the South-West.”
The group further alleged that Governor Ademola Adeleke had reached out to Bishop Kukah and claimed that the cleric was aligning himself with the governor’s administration.
