Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah backs Boko Haram amnesty

  

Roman Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has joined the growing list of those calling for amnesty to members of Boko Haram.

The cleric, in his Easter message, said though the offer would not solve all the nation’s problems, “it will bring us closer to a new dawn”.

He called for offering amnesty to members of Boko Haram, the same way he said it was offered during former President Nelson Mandela’s administration in post-apatheid South Africa.

According to him, apartheid caused more destruction than the activities of the fundamentalists in Nigeria.

Kukah said, “To reject amnesty is to place oneself at the same level as these miscreants. Their destruction on our nation is not near the devastation of apartheid in South Africa. Yet, under President Mandela, Archbishop Tutu had to offer amnesty to leap frog the reconciliation process.

“To paraphrase the Yoruba adage, the hand that gives amnesty is on top of the hand that receives.

“An offer of amnesty is not the same as a declaration of amnesty. An offer of amnesty brings the penitent to the table as a first step.

“Amnesty is a process not a destination. The offer of amnesty will not solve all our problems, but it will bring us closer to a new dawn.”

Kukah lamented how the debate on offer of amnesty to Boko Haram members had been turned to a mere political issue.

Kukah said, “To return to the theme of amnesty, as I have noted, we have sadly turned it into a political football and have drained it of its moral content.

“No matter the crimes committed by members of Boko Haram, those of them who are Nigerians have not lost their membership of our community.”

According to him, more than necessary attention was being given to the “survivalist instincts” of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party, instead of focusing on the impact of the amnesty on national interest.

He said, “Rather than look at the issues of amnesty in the light of the past, present and future of the nation, we have focused more on how they fit the survivalist instincts of the president and his ruling party.

“As usual, selfish interests overtake national interests and survival. Sadly, as it is with Nigeria, the truth gets lost in the cracks of deceit, lies, and prejudice.”

According to him, Jonathan ventured into the debate on the amnesty too early, without doing sufficient homework and reflections.