The presidency has attacked an influential Catholic cleric, Matthew Kukah, over his recent address to the U.S. Congress.
The presidency accused the cleric of spreading falsehood with the intent to discredit the administration.
Mr Kukah had in a virtual appearance before the American lawmakers criticised President Muhammadu Buhari’s handling of the security situation in Nigeria. He also alleged that President Buhari was nepotistic in key appointments and favoured Muslims over Christians.
“The whole of the North is being invaded by armed bandits that are launching attacks at will. The President has shown nepotism in his appointments as he is appointing only people that share the same religion with him into key political offices like the security Chiefs,” Daily Post newspaper reported the Catholic bishop as saying.
“For the first time in Nigeria, the first three persons: the President, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representative are all Muslims.
“This has never happened before. So, we require practical and measuring assistance that can help us and our children.”
In its reaction, the presidency in a statement by presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu said Mr Kukah was doing his “best to sow discord and strife among Nigerians.”
In the statement released Sunday, Mr Shehu accused Mr Kukah of falsehood, saying attacks by armed men stand condemned but are not targeted at Christians.
President Buhari has been criticised by many Nigerians for his handling of the security situation as attacks and kidnappings by armed persons have become commonplace in many parts of Nigeria.
Picture: Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah
