Catholic Bishop Mathew Kukah of the now controversial National Peace Group in Nigeria, headed by the former head of State, Lieutenant General Abdulsalam Abubakar, is currently the collective face of discussions on matters of corruption in government.
\nBishop Kukah, in many of his recent public statements stated that the Buhari presidency\u2019s preoccupation with the issue of corruption could be overstepping the work of actual governance.
\nThe Bishop who is the spokesman of the National Peace Team, to be fair to him, has for years viewed the matter of corruption in government including that of Jonathan\u2019s administration, as one of the roots of our national pains. Now, what makes him different at this time, remains a puzzle for historians and psychologists in the future.
\nIn one of his recent public political sermons on issues of corruption, Bishop Kukah, in a highly mixed up manner, informed the people that \u201cThere is no such thing as probe in a democratic setting like ours. What obtains is investigation, and once people lead and things are not right, in\u00advestigation becomes necessary\u201d.
\nThe Bishop whose lexicon might be different from every other dictionary in the world should be reminded that words like \u201cprobe\u201d and \u201cinvestigation\u201d are exactly of the same meaning.
\nThe Bishop, in an apparent defensive mode on behalf of the former President Goodluck Jonathan and his administration, noted that \u201cEverybody knows that things are not the way they ought to be. We are just trying to encourage people that let\u2019s get on with this business of fix\u00ading this country. Let\u2019s get to the business of realizing the change that we dreamt of. And also most importantly, let\u2019s get down with the business of co-operating with God so that Nigeria can move for\u00adward\u2026\u201d
\nThe Bishop is reported to have reminded Nigerians that \u201cEven if former President Goodluck Jonathan stole all the money that he allowed for a peaceful transition is enough reason for President Muhammadu Buhari, to spare him of probe\u2026\u201d
\nIn the mind of this Bishop, the fact that former President Jonathan conceded to the winner, President Buhari, is just enough not to probe him, and instead to commend him as a hero for not becoming a despot and remaining in office.
\nOur well known Bishop, seems to forget that when one loses an election, it only reasonable that the loser, in this case Jonathan, be the one to praise the winner, and simply hand over power since that is how it is carried out in every normal thinking independent society.
\nThe Bishop as part of his self-induced presidential powers is even counselling all of us and the country, as well as the present government to pursue corruption probe \u201cdown the line\u201d, in other words, in the future.<\/p>\n
He even compared the possible probe of corruption as a form of \u201cpublic lynching\u201d of the Jonathan\u2019s administration, and reminded President Buhari not only to shed his military mentality but to understand that when \u201cBuhari steps aside, he might face the same thing\u201d
\nBishop Kukah, Sir, although mush has been said by Nigerians over your recent unusual utterances about public corruption, hearing the words of your boss or master, Pope Francis may help all of us in this unpleasant matter.
\nIn November of 2013, the Pope in a fiery sermon against corruption, reminded all of us; quoting a passage from the Bible in which Jesus said some sinners merit been tied to a rock and thrown into the sea. The Pope reminded us in very strong-worded sermons that we should avoid living \u201ca double life\u201d as it is with many of our leaders across the world, Nigeria included. He stated that when some leaders give money to the Church or other religious entities while stealing from the state pause, they stand out as sinners who deserve to be punished.
\nThe Pope, still on the national cost and pains of corruption, quoting from the Gospel of St Luke in the New Testament, stated \u201cJesus says: It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea.\u201d
\nIf the Pope ends up hearing some of our Bishop\u2019s recent exclamations on corruption; just like he heard about the scandalous act that erupted inside an ancient religious order linked to the Vatican; he would remind Bishop Kukah that any act of corruption or financial irregularities in any scandal-tainted administration, deserves instant probe or investigation laced with due process.
\nThe Pope informs us that people engaged in corruption are nothing but \u201cwhitewashed tombs\u201d as \u201cthey appear beautiful from the outside, but inside they are full of dead bones and putrefaction.\u201d According to the Pope, a life and living based on corruption is \u201cvarnished putrefaction\u201d.
\nClearly, Pope Francis would also inform the Bishop that the evils of corruption need to be targeted anytime and every time while the act of governance is ongoing as in the case of the Buhari administration.
\nThe Pope would remind all of us especially those who grow wealthy from corruption and use tainted money to enrich themselves and bellyful their children with gifts, and send them to luxurious schools, are the ones that \u201chave lost their dignity and give their children dirty bread\u201d
\nInterestingly, the Pope likened corruption as an addiction which is like taking drugs, noting that within the act of corruption, \u201cWe might start with a small bribe, but it\u2019s like a drug.
\nBishop Kukah, as he journeys through the media, making utterance on matters of corruption, especially as it relates to the Buhari presidency who is carrying out the desire of the people, should hear more words of wisdom from the Pope.
\nIn October of 2014, in an address to a delegation of the International Association of Penal Law, Pope Francis made it clear that corruption is \u201ca greater evil than sin.\u201d He said categorically that corruption is like a \u201cbad breath,\u201d \u201cit is hard for the one who has it to realize it; others realize it and have to tell him.\u201d Mr. Bishop, this is exactly what President Buhari,is doing right now on the peoples\u2019 behalf!
\nLike Pope Francis, the people believe that corrupt Nigerians, will only gain remorse only when they become aware of evil in a hard way. Here again, Buhari is ready for them!
\nThe Pope revealed that \u201cThe corrupt person does not perceive his corruption,\u201d \u201cFor this reason, it is difficult for the corrupt person to get out of his state through remorse of conscience. More than forgiven, this evil must be cured,\u201d
\nThis cure can partly happen by way of the Buhari style\u2014swift, disciplined, precise and non-dramatic approach to the rule of law.
\nBishop Kukah, as a loud voice who has been hard on Buhari\u2019s war on corruption, the Pope would remind you that \u201cFew things are harder than opening a breach in a corrupt heart\u201d \u201cWhen the personal situation of the corrupt becomes complicated, he knows all the loopholes to escape as did the dishonest steward of the Gospel.\u201d
\nThe Pope further noted that \u201cThe corrupt person goes through life taking the shortcuts of opportunism,\u201d \u201cwith an air of innocence, wearing the mask of an honest person, which he begins to believe.\u201d
\nThe Pope tells us that the corrupt person \u201ccannot accept criticism, discredits anyone who criticizes him, tries to belittle any moral authority who would question him, does not value others and insults anyone who thinks differently. If the balance of power permits, he persecutes anyone who contradicts him.\u201d
\nClearly, Bishop Kukah\u2019s shocking current proclamations about corruption in Nigeria and his vexation with Buhari\u2019s anti-corruption agenda would not be welcomed by the Pope.
\nIn spite of our all-powerful Bishop\u2019s utterances, the good people of Nigeria are committed to ask God, ask Allah, to save the nation from the monster of corruption in all of its forms. By the way, we are all waiting for a full sermon from Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka as it relates to this entire story.
\nBishop Kukah, while we will never be able to fully probe into your mind and see what appears to be motivating you at this time, the Pope in his wisdom prays \u201cthat the Lord may change the hearts of those who worship the kickback god\u201d.
\nDr. John Egbeazien Oshodi is a Forensic\/Clinical and National Psychologist, and a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. Jos5930458@aol.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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