The presidency and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, appeared to have put the existing animosity behind them.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina gave the indication in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
The Herald earlier shared photos showing Kukah and other executives of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria visiting President Muhammadu Buhari at State House, Abuja on Wednesday.
In the photos, President Buhari and Bishop Kukah laughing heartily while appearing to share a joke.
Kukah and the Buhari presidency have been at loggerheads for years over the state of the nation under the incumbent administration.
In a 2022 Christmas message, Kukah attacked Buhari, saying his policies made Nigerians more vulnerable.
He also berated the president’s aides, whom he accused of trying to “fix” Nigeria using lies and blackmail.
The president’s media aide, Adesina hit back in a piece titled, “Kukah Don’t Cook Me Nonsense”.
However, commenting on the Catholic bishops’ visit on Wednesday, Adesina said Kukah was “cooking peace this time”.
In his Facebook post titled, “What’s Bishop Kukah Cooking Again?” Adesina wrote, “Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, was among Executive members of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) who visited President Muhammadu Buhari at State House, Abuja, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.
“Recall that at Christmas, the Bishop had given a homily that was unduly critical of the President, and which was filled with inexactitudes. I had responded via an article entitled; Kukah, Don’t Cook Me Nonsense.
“When the Bishop came into the Council Chamber, venue of the visit, he pulled me, and started laughing, asking whether we should be fighting or greeting each other. We laughed heartily.
“During group photographs, the President, never holding malice against anyone, shook hands with the Bishop, describing him as “most vigorous fighter.”
“After it all, the Bishop invited me for a personal picture with him.
“Bishop Kukah was cooking peace this time, and how refreshing it was.”
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