The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has decried the “weaponization of religion” in Nigeria, which he said continues to militate against the development of democracy in the country.
Kukah stated this at a colloquium held at the Abuja Intercontinental Hotel to mark the 60th birthday celebration of former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, which was chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Also in attendance were former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi; former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal; and the immediate past Governor of Katsina, Aminu Masari.
In his keynote address titled ‘Is Democracy Failing in Africa?’ Matthew Kukah mentioned that it seemed like Nigeria’s democracy only worked for a few selected persons.
Kukah also noted that such feelings had fueled a debate on the suitability of the Nigerian Constitution, which had constantly put pressure on the judiciary.
He said, “We as Africans inherited a system that is not ours, but we can’t say it is not relevant to us. There are differences between democracy in Asia and that of Africa. I feel sorry for judges. At the last election, even little me, I had people calling me, complaining, Talk to this, Talk to that.
“There was pressure on judges to deliver justice. I agree that there’s an urgent need to clean up the mess. Democracy is about everything, and it’s about justice. Democracy and its principles are endless contestations. There are certain things God has given us which people can’t control.”
Kukah urged politicians to borrow a leaf from the cat-and-mouse relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku, which he said also helped to deepen democracy.
“The relationship between Obasanjo and Atiku is like a Catholic marriage. You will quarrel without breaking up. No constitution will be better than the Bible and Koran. Yet, we are still living in sin. The weaponisation of religion is a big problem in Nigeria.
“Democracy is a work in progress. God doesn’t discriminate against either Christian or Muslim prayers. If we are not treating each other rightly, one must be a bastard.”
