Bishop Matthew Kukah blames the Nigerian government for deadly stampedes during palliative food distribution, linking the tragedy to widespread hunger and economic hardship. He calls for greater government action to address poverty, support youth participation in politics, and tackle insecurity fueled by corruption and unemployment.
In his Christmas message on December 25, 2024, Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, criticized the Nigerian government for its failure to prevent the tragic stampedes during palliative food distribution. Last week, over 67 people lost their lives in stampedes across Oyo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Kukah linked these tragedies to widespread hunger and economic despair, highlighting that such incidents could have been avoided had the government acted to alleviate the nation's economic hardship.
Kukah described the stampedes as symbols of the desperation plaguing Nigerian citizens, emphasizing that government inaction in addressing hunger has worsened the situation. He also pointed out that the Catholic Church has long been committed to supporting the vulnerable, urging the government to collaborate more closely with institutions that serve the common good.
Additionally, Kukah addressed challenges in Nigerian politics, noting that the high cost of running for office remains a major barrier for young people. While acknowledging the positive impact of the "Not Too Young to Run" bill, he stressed that internal party democracy and financial constraints still hinder youth participation.
Finally, Kukah stressed the need to address corruption, unemployment, and religious extremism, which he believes fuel insecurity in the country. He warned that without tackling these root causes, Nigeria cannot effectively combat the growing insecurity.
