The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has apologised to the Catholic bishops and Christians over his alleged comment that those who opposed President Muhammadu Buhari were corrupt Christian leaders who were unhappy because looters were no longer able to pay tithes to them.
Bello made tendered the apology on Tuesday while delivering a speech at the Kogi Invest Summit, 2018 which is presently ongoing in the state.
His words: “…Let me take a moment out of this event to address an issue which is dear to my heart.
I have been mortified since last Friday when a comment I made during a chat with journalists at the State House, Abuja after Juma’at Prayers caused an uproar which is still raging in the Press.
In responding to a question related to the visit of revered Catholic Bishops to the President and some of their views on the State of the Nation to him, it has been reported that I said things which are disrespectful, not only to our revered Spiritual Fathers in that delegation, but also to Christians in general. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.
My exact words, as far as I know are as follows:
‘“…those that have looted the country dry and normally go to the church and mosque to pay tithe are no longer doing so. Of course, this is the category of people who are angry.”’
I was trying to generalise, and speak to the two major religions, but I now realise that the word, ‘tithe’ (which Muslims do not pay), made it appear as if I targeted Christians specifically.
I have spoken to My Lord, His Grace, Bishop Ignatius Kaigama, President of the Nigerian Bishops’ Conference and President of the Episcopal Conference of West African Catholic Bishops on this.
To all of my Christian brethren, I apologise for any way in which I have hurt your sensibilities.
I also pray my August Guest today, His Excellency the Vice President to help convey to our Christian leaders and brethren all over the world that I would never dream of disrespecting them. I hold all faiths in high regard.