Matthew Kukah, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, has asked Nigerians not to fight over politicians who are after pecuniary gains.
Kukah, who spoke on Tuesday when he appeared on a television programme, said Nigerians should consider politicians as friends who should not be regarded seriously.
The bishop’s advice comes a few days after Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), and Atiku Abubakar, his political opponent, were seen in a video exchanging jokes at the private wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, in Abuja.
The clergyman also expressed concern over the surge in violence by supporters of political candidates ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
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“These politicians are struggling and they’ve lived their lives struggling for the national cake which they will distribute amongst themselves. It is, therefore, in the interest of ordinary Nigerians to know that they have to vote to stay alive,” he said.
“Supporters of candidates all over the country need to be a bit more restrained and wise. We ordinary people must figure out how to manage our passion when it comes to politics.
“Don’t take seriously the grandstanding of the politicians. All the things you see about them abusing themselves or quarrelling, you will think they will never shake hands. They are very good friends, and many of them drink from the same pool. So, don’t go and kill yourself for nothing. That is what that message is all about.”
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On September 29, the national peace committee led by Abdusalami Abubakar, chairman of NPC, and Kukah, had organised an event where all presidential candidates for the 2023 general elections signed an accord committing to peace during the polls.
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