Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode dared critics to provide a video clip of Matthew Kukah, Sokoto Catholic Bishop, inciting violence.
Mr Fani-Kayode who threw the challenge Wednesday morning promised a reward of N1million to anyone who can provide video evidence of alleged insurrection that has earned the cleric backlash.
Mr Kukah had in his 2020 Christmas message to Nigerians blasted the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. He accused the Nigerian leader of institutionalizing nepotism in the country, adding that had a non-northern muslim leader did a fraction of what Mr Buhari has done, the person’s administration would have been toppled by now.
His comments generated mixed reactions. While the Catholic Church threw its weight behind the cleric, Muslims groups like the Muslims Right Concerns (MURIC) and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) lambasted him.
The latest attack on the Bishop coming from Muslim Solidarity Forum (MSF) led by acting chairman, Isa Maishanu, is calling on the Catholic cleric to apologise or leave Sokoto State.
Mr Maishanu who described the comment of the cleric as provocative said his group’s concern is the image and reputation of Muslims, which, according to him, Mr Kukah finds pleasure in attacking without an iota of caution and by referring to him [the president] as a Muslim, that automatically brings all Muslims into the issue.
“His reference to a people who possess ‘a pool of violence to draw from’ no doubt is a reference to those he has always characterized with violence – the Muslims. This is a serious provocation.
“As such, we call on Kukah to immediately stop his malicious vituperations against Islam and Muslims and tender unreserved apology to the Muslim Ummah or else quickly and quietly leave the seat of the Caliphate, as he is trying to break the age-long peaceful coexistence between the predominantly Muslim population and their Christian guests,” the muslim group said.
But in response, the former minister on Twitter said the accused cleric, who has denied calling for a coup, offended no one that should warrant an apology.
He also warned the cleric’s critics to watch their utterances.
“Bishop Hassan Kukah did not attack Islam & has nothing to apologise about. He has always sought for religious tolerance & peaceful co-existence between Christians & Muslims.Those that demand that he “must apologise” or “leave Sokoto” must mind their utterances & keep the peace,” Mr Fani-Kayode said.
“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,” he added.
