By Gbenga Sodeinde In Ado Ekiti
The President of the African Confederation of Old Catholic Churches and Presiding Bishop of the Old Catholic Apostolic Church Nigeria, Most Rev. Dr. Oluwaseun Fagbohun, has explained why the Roman Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, must tender what he described as another unreserved apology to Christians, Nigerians, and the international community over issues of terrorism and insecurity in the country.
Bishop Fagbohun said the call became necessary following what he termed Bishop Kukah’s “unguarded denial” of Christian killings in Nigeria, despite the continued attacks, displacement, and loss of lives suffered by Christian communities across the country.
He made the remarks in his New Year message to Nigerians on January 1, a copy of which was made available to HERITAGE NEWS
According to Bishop Fagbohun, Bishop Kukah had earlier apologised over similar comments, but his recent statements and continued silence on the activities of terrorists, bandits, and Boko Haram elements—particularly within his episcopal jurisdiction—amount to a renewed betrayal of public trust.
He accused Bishop Kukah of maintaining what he described as a troubling silence despite allegedly being aware of the presence and operations of insurgent groups in parts of Sokoto State.
Bishop Fagbohun said such silence represents a failure of moral and spiritual responsibility, insisting that a Christian leader of Bishop Kukah’s standing should not “pretend not to be aware” of what he described as the open and brazen activities of terrorists.
He further criticised Bishop Kukah for publicly stating that Christians were not being persecuted by criminal or insurgent elements, describing the assertion as misleading and inconsistent with the lived realities of many Nigerian Christians.
According to him, numerous Christian families and communities have suffered killings, displacement, destruction of churches, and long-term psychological trauma as a result of terrorist activities, stressing that denying or downplaying such experiences undermines victims and weakens the moral authority of the Church.
The African church leader said Bishop Kukah’s comments and perceived inaction have eroded public confidence in Christian leadership at a critical time when religious leaders are expected to speak truth to power and stand firmly with victims of violence.
“Bishop Kukah has not only betrayed the Christian faith but also the trust of the nation by pretending not to know that terrorists are operating within his jurisdiction,” Bishop Fagbohun said.
He argued that Bishop Kukah’s frequent presence at the Presidential Villa and interactions with national leadership raise further concerns about his silence.
“He is always at the Villa, taking pictures here and there, wining and dining with our nation’s leadership. What does he go there to say? Is he claiming that he does not know that his jurisdiction is the headquarters of those killing Nigerians?” he queried.
Bishop Fagbohun accused Bishop Kukah of hypocrisy, insisting that his global reputation and academic background should compel him to speak the truth rather than withhold information capable of saving lives.
“His words carry weight globally, but with these recent developments, it is clear that he has not been faithful and truthful. Unless he apologises again to Nigerians and the entire world, we can no longer trust the words coming out of his mouth,” he said.
He added, “I wonder if his PhD in Political Science prevents him from exposing killers of our people.”
Bishop Fagbohun also called on Christian leaders across denominations to rise above fear, political correctness, or compromise, and to speak boldly against terrorism and insecurity, regardless of ethnic, regional, or religious considerations.