Kukah faces criticism over shift in stance on religious persecution

By Juliet Umeh

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has travel nether disapproval for what immoderate picture arsenic a alteration successful his presumption connected the contented of spiritual persecution successful Nigeria.

Civil rights activist, Dr. Thompson Udenwa, successful a connection issued successful Abuja connected Thursday, faulted Bishop Kukah’s caller comments, saying they appeared to opposition with his erstwhile advocacy for stronger planetary measures against Nigeria implicit alleged spiritual intolerance and attacks connected Christian communities.

Dr. Udenwa recalled that Bishop Kukah had antecedently urged the United States Government to designate Nigeria arsenic a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) pursuing reports of religion burnings and targeted unit against Christians successful parts of the North and Middle Belt.

He expressed interest that the cleric’s latest remarks suggested an inconsistency that could impact the credibility of spiritual advocacy.

Udenwa’s absorption followed Bishop Kukah’s comments astatine the motorboat of the Aid to the Church successful Need (ACN) 2025 World Report connected Religious Freedom held connected October 21, 2025, astatine the Augustinianum Hall, Vatican City.

At the event, Bishop Kukah acknowledged Nigeria’s information and governance challenges but advised the planetary assemblage against imposing sanctions oregon isolating the state diplomatically.

“Designating my country, Nigeria, a Country of Concern volition lone marque our enactment successful dialog among spiritual leaders and the authorities adjacent harder. It volition lone summation tensions, sow doubt, and let criminals and perpetrators of unit to exploit the situation,” Bishop Kukah said.

While noting Kukah’s accent connected dialogue, Udenwa argued that specified a presumption mightiness discourage accountability for repeated attacks connected religion communities. He stressed that spiritual leaders should stay accordant and principled successful their advocacy.

He added, however, that Bishop Kukah’s existent presumption could service arsenic a affirmative measurement if it helps close antagonistic perceptions astir Nigeria successful the planetary community.

The station Kukah faces disapproval implicit displacement successful stance connected spiritual persecution appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.