Bishop Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto says palliatives will not solve Nigeria’s problems, charging President Bola Tinubu to tackle corruption and insecurity.

“The problems of Nigeria are deep-seated, and they are based on a culture of corruption that has become the foundation stone of governance. This evil structure has to be dismantled. Nigeria’s problems will not be resolved by palliatives,” Mr Kukah said. 

In his 2023 Christmas sermon, the fiery cleric said Nigerians want “evidence they can see and touch” and are “tired of promises and stories.”

“You must rid the public service of criminals who have turned the opportunity to serve into an ignoble enterprise. We concede that there are millions of decent men and women who genuinely wish to serve but are crushed by the deadweight of corrupt ogas at the top who use corruption as their oxygen! This surgery must happen if you are to succeed in any of your dreams of delivering much-needed services to our people,” Mr Kukah said.

Lamenting the spate of “senseless” killings and abductions across the country, Mr Kukah charged Mr Tinubu to stop the bloodshed and restore the sanctity of life.

“Mr President, the killings of Nigerians by whatever name must end and end now. These senseless killings, abductions, extortions and kidnappings have to end, and the sacredness and sanctity of human life must be restored. 

“Blasphemy laws have no place in a democracy. We are not in a theocracy. Those who take life by whatever means must be fished out and punished,” the cleric said.

Mr Kukah’s homily comes amid economic hardship heightened by Mr Tinubu’s economic decisions, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate. 

Though experts have lauded Mr Tinubu’s decisions, the dual policies have seen petrol prices rise from N165 when Mr Tinubu assumed office on May 29 to N670 nationwide, while a naira trades for over N1,100 against the United States dollar.

Also, bandits and kidnappers have continued their nefarious activities across the country. In June, Peoples Gazette reported that over 200 persons were killed in different coordinated attacks by Boko Haram, bandits and unknown gunmen across the country in Mr Tinubu’s first month in office.

However, Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, claimed security has improved, saying Mr Tinubu’s administration has rescued over 600 persons abducted and languishing in bandits’ dens for two to three years under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime. 

Contrary to Mr Ribadu’s claim on improved security, in November, armed bandits kidnapped at least 100 people after invading some villages in Katsina State and the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State. 

Three weeks ago, Katsina Governor Dikko Radda also cried out that bandits have occupied many schools, converting them to their dens in the state.