Nigeria: Catholic Bishop relishes unity after 2015 general elections

THE Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Hassan Kukah, has said that in spite of challenges in the country, it would remain a united entity after the 2015 general elections.

Kukah stated this in Sokoto on Wednesday during a news conference on the Golden Jubilee celebration of the diocese which comprised Sokoto, Zamfara , Katsina and Kebbi states.

He said that the election in 2015 may come with some challenges for the country "'but Nigeria will come out of them secure and safer".

"All those talking about the possible division of the country in 2015 don't know what it takes to create a new country," he said.

He attributed prevailing Boko Haram insurgency to "years of hypocrisy," and urged that the issue should be dealt with as a criminal matter.

According to the cleric, the issue of religious violence should be clearly dealt with in the country to allow Nigerians to see themselves as equal citizens.

"The earlier we do this, the better for Nigerians and Nigeria. Nigerians must bequeath quality leadership for the nation.

"There has to be Nigeria first before thinking of becoming a President; there is no prophecy about 2015.

"Politics is a contest and we should not allow it to deteriorate; the outcome should be accepted in good faith," he appealed.

Kukah also expressed optimism in the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct free, fair and acceptable elections in 2015.

He promised that the diocese would continue to help in providing educational and medical services to the people through its schools and clinics spread across the four states under it.

-The Guardian Nigeria