The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed displeasure over the call by the Muslim Solidarity Forum (MSF) on the Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, to apologise for his alleged attack on Islam and Muslims or leave the Caliphate.
The forum, which labelled itself as an umbrella body for Islamic organisations, scholars and clerics, last Tuesday asked Kukah to apologise or leave the state, insisting that his Christmas message was capable of triggering religious violence in the country.
Reacting to the development, CAN described the call for Kukah to apologize as ‘no issue’ adding that he is saying the truth.
The General Secretary of CAN, Barrister Joseph Daramola, who spoke with our correspondent on Wednesday said: “there is no issue there. Why are they personifying the matter. The man (Kukah) is saying the truth and they trying to put religious politics into it. This people are myopic in everything they are doing. Let them go and read his message. What do they want to do to him? Why would he apologise?”
Kukah’s homily also drew censures from the federal government and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), led by Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, which attacked the bishop for allegedly denigrating Islam and Muslims.
In the same vein, Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Aviation Minister, has faulted the call that Bishop Mathew Kukah should leave the state following his Christmas message.
The group also called on Bishop Kukah to tender unreserved apology to the Muslim community.
Reacting, Fani-Kayode insisted that Bishop Kukah did not attack Muslims in his Christmas message, hence has nothing to apologise for.
In a series of tweets, Fani-Kayode wrote:
“Bishop Hassan Kukah did not attack Islam and has nothing to apologise about.
“He has always sought for religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims. Those that demand that he, “must apologise” or “leave Sokoto” must mind their utterances and keep the peace.
“If anyone can provide me with a video of Kukah calling for violence against Muslims or inciting people against Islam, I will give him one million naira.”
