The Presidency on Sunday, has accused opponents of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, led among others by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah; of being to blame for the US government’s perception of poor Christianity-Islam relations in Nigeria, which had caused delays in the delivery of fighter jets to the country.
Mallam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the Presidency on Media and Publicity, made the announcement in a statement.
According to the statement, Bishop Kukah quoted from a new book by former US Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell; which, according to the Presidency, is unlikely to conclude that Nigeria has improved in any way.
Tracing the history of Nigeria’s request for Tucano fighter jets to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency, the Presidency statement said; “In 2015 the then newly-elected Buhari government requested US military support in the form of Super Tucano jet fighters for the Nigerian Air Force. The Nigerian military, security, and intelligence services repeatedly made this request.
“The US administration of the time concurred: the delivery of such jets would help deliver a critical turning point in Nigeria’s struggle against jihadist terrorists across the Sahel.
“Yet two years later, that jet delivery was rescinded, the reasons are given that unless Nigeria improved its religious relations between Christianity and Islam; then US support would not be forthcoming in this, and many other areas.
“Such views were compounded by the constant lobbying of US Congress by the opponents of the Nigerian government who had lost the previous election, and many of their southern religious supporters; including Bishop Mathew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Diocese of Sokoto; who, unsurprising, provides a supportive quote for the dustcover of the new edition of Campbell’s book. (Kukah even took to addressing the US Congress himself, briefing his audience on the history of coups in Nigeria; without, of course, mentioning that none had occurred since 1993, some 29 years ago).
“Fortunately, now today under a new US administration these jets have been delivered; and with it, a serious blow against the terrorists; with the supreme leader of Islamic State in West Africa; and scores of other leaders of the group eliminated in airstrikes.
“It is all very well to claim it is in the United States’ interests to help Nigeria become an even-better democracy; and stable country. It is quite another to forever avoid mentioning the last coup was 29 years ago; and that since 1999 Nigeria has enjoyed 23 unbroken years of democratically elected governments and peaceful transition between them.
“It is also inconsistent to preach the need for stability; but needlessly delay sharing military equipment in the form of jets; not least when it is now proven they would have helped.
“Hopefully, the United States and Nigeria are going to forge ahead with our continuing partnership; in fighting terrorism in and out of the subregion.
“The dream of our founding fathers of a strong, united, and prosperous Nigeria remains very much intact.”
