Kukah to Buhari: Restore public confidence in governance

Reverend Mathew Kukah, the Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, has called on the President-elect, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to restore public confidence in governance when he is sworn in on May 29.

Kukah gave the advice on Friday in Abakaliki while delivering a convocation lecture at the Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.

He spoke on the topic, “Transition to Democracy: Can Nigeria Ride the wave?”

According to the cleric, restoring public confidence in government and politics should be the president-elect’s immediate challenge when he assumes office.

Kukah said, “This will be determined by the nature of the choices he makes in assembling a team that would help him in achieving his set goals and moving the country forward.

“He must, however, move away from seeing the team’s assemblage as a period of sharing of carcass, a typical characteristic of Nigerian governments.

“Nigerians have shown that they trust his judgment and integrity.

“He must, therefore, face the challenge of demonstrating the sagacity of managing his patrons and their choices as he can shape both Nigeria as a country and the All Progressives Congress as a party”.

Kukah said fighting corruption might sound fantastic, “but it is a great challenge because the cankerworm is written over all facets of the country”.

“I will advise that rather than chasing the ‘thieves’, the president-elect should address the issues of the misery and squalor that have become Nigeria’s lot, as development will raise the best army to fight corruption”, he said.

He also called on Buhari to embark on the policy of reconstruction, reconciliation and rehabilitation, adding that the country had failed in its past bids to achieve these objectives.

“His challenge lies in how he responds to the perceived interpretations of his victory, especially within the various institutions, networks and interest groups especially, in the northern part of the country,’’ Kukah said.

He called on Nigerians to see Buhari’s election as an avenue to foster coalition and consensus building, as no group could achieve development alone.

Gov. Martin Elechi, represented by Sen. Emmanuel Onwe, said the state government would always assist the university to achieve its lofty dreams and reposition education in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Kukah will be awarded a honourary doctorate degree by the university during its 4th -6th convocation ceremony on Saturday.