Our reporter/ The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah has come under attack from many Nigerians on social media following his call earlier in the week for the the United States not to re-designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom.
Kukah argued that such a move would “hurt ongoing efforts” to promote dialogue, national healing, and interfaith understanding under the current Bola Tinubu administration.
Speaking at the launch of the Aid to the Church in Need (ACIN) 2025 World Report on Religious Freedom in the World at the Augustinianum Hall in Vatican City, Bishop Kukah said although Nigeria remains deeply troubled by violence, discrimination, and insecurity, there are encouraging signs of progress that should be strengthened, not punished.
“Re-designating Nigeria a Country of Concern will only make our work in the area of dialogue among religious leaders even harder,” Mr Kukah said.
“It will increase tensions, sow doubt, open windows of suspicion and fear, and simply allow the criminals and perpetrators of violence to exploit. What Nigeria needs now is vigilance and partnership, not punishment.”
Kukah’s comments has, however, not gone down well with many Nigerians who took to X [formerly Twitter] to berate the Catholic Bishop with one user labeling him a ‘Bishop of concern’.
Below are some of the comments by some Nigerians as published on X Wednesday.
Alexfield @ @alex2j2
Baba is working for his retainer fee. Just live long enough. Na you go use your hand give yourself Orientation.
Shame!
Prine P.C.Attah @prine_attah2
Kukah is now a Bishop of concern!
J.C Okechukwu @jcOkechukwu wrote,
In all of history, like i already told you, no genocide on the scale that we’re witnessing today in Nigeria, has ever succeeded without the tacit betrayal of some from amongst the victims. From Kukah to the Rev. Father stooge they dumped in Benue as Governor to the one in Plateau to the big baba GOs and Mamas, and prophets/prophetesses, the orchestrators did their homework well. Thank God for the help that has risen for Nigerian Christians overseas. It’ll continue to grow and overshadow the betrayals and complicity of these fellows. God is great!
Obiasogu David @afrisagacity wrote,
Three (3) frames showing how despicably Bishop Kukah has sunk in a scramble for Tinubu’s minted dollars and dark favours.
In 2021, Kukah was a loud voice, a leader of value in the campaign against extra-religious killings of Christians in Northern Nigeria. He troubled the Buhari government so much that Buhari described him as a “vigorous fighter.”
As recently as 2024, Bishop Kukah was still vocal about the genocide against Christians in Northern Nigeria. I read his fervent appeal for global powers to intervene in the insecurity in Nigeria.
Then, in March 2025, Tinubu came to him with sweet favours. He made the Bishop the pro-chancellor of Kaduna Federal University, and I wager, there would be more heart-melting helps.
Bishop Kukah went from being a “vigorous fighter” of bad governance to a “vivid fan” of the evils he preached and fought against.
A few weeks ago, he was on Arise TV singing Tinubu’s praises in a rather unbelievably godawful manner. He looked horribly unsettled as he spoke. It gave the impression that he battled with his conscience while his mouth stuttered.
Unsurprisingly, yesterday, Tinubu’s government activated Kukah. He keyed his voice to amplify the propaganda Aso Rock is pushing to quell the increasing awareness of genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
Kukah has joined Reno Omokri, a mythomaniac, in the campaign of deceit that defeats his earlier position that genocide against Christians in Nigeria exists.
Such an abrupt turn against beliefs and the truth Kukah stood for, until March this year, strikes me with rude marvel.
Dr Kelechi Ugonna @ugo_kelechi@phd wrote,
The person whose compromise I find the most shocking just has to be the Middle Belt indigene and someone who has cried about the Genocide on Christians, Bishop Matthew Kukah @KukahBishop .
This is why I and many others love Mr Peter Obi. Please Sir, remain above compromise.
Citizen observer@CitizenObs wrote,
Frame 1: Sultan of Fulani
Frame 2: Bishop Kukah
Both men reside in Sokoto
Both men on the same day, denied there is #Christian genocide in #Nigeria.
Think about it.
The rising sun @the risingsu wrote,
US should not listen to the appeal of Bishop Kukah not to designate Nigeria a country of particular concern.
Same Bishop Kukah has been lamenting about D killing of Christians by Fulani Militia fully sponsored by Nigeria government.
Nigeria government wants to silence the truth
Stephen Osemweg @PeterObiUSA said, Even Bishop Kukah has compromised … Nigeria Clergymen can nolonger be trusted to speak the truth no matter the threats…
The He has now speaking for Tinubu’s Government… what a disappointment
Citizen Observer @citizenobs wrote, But Bishop Kukah, who lives in a Caliphate and knows better than everyone else is covering up the truth?
This pressure must be sustained because it will unravel many creatures hiding under the Christiandem.
Demagogue PhD @avon_Bismac wrote,
Bishop Kukah is a shameless man. For a university chairmanship, he denied the pogrom against his people.
For a man Without a forebear, what is all this wealth for?
Apostle Michael Olowo @myk_da_preacher said, Who would have believed a time would come when Bishop Kukah would side with the Nigerian government and not speak up about the genocide in Nigeria?
All it took was appointment as Pro-Chancellor
Exodus 23:8 (KJV):
“And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.”
It’s well!
Reboot Nigeria wrote, Bishop Kukah has turned from priest to political deodorant! Every time corruption stinks, he appears with holy air freshener and big grammar. From pulpit to puppet—Father Sanctify-the-Sinners strikes again! Nigeria’s holy spin doctor in full liturgical nonsense mode!
Idresserh@Nrs_Idreeserh wrote, Bishop Kukah is a hypocrite.
He lived in Sokoto state in peace and was respected.
But that didn’t stop him from the lies, especially during Buhari’s administration.
Tinubu gave him a post as the vice Chancellor of a university in southern kaduna, and he’s now saying this.
This is to tell the Christians in Nigeria and especially in the north that this Bishop is all out for the money.
He’s a hypocrite, a big one.
Eze Ndi Imo @Ehis_Bukaty said,
I am a strong and a committed Catholic!
I love and respect Bishop Kukah!!!
But recently, he has been going, behaving and talking like someone who has eaten a roasted Corn!!!
What is going on with him?
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