As A Priest My Mom Told Me"If They Could Overthrow Gen Gowon Be Careful With Company You Keep"

Bishop Matthew Kukah, who leads the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, has expressed that former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon is very dear to him.

During a discussion with Arise TV on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Kukah mentioned that his mother was convinced that the military coup that ousted Gowon was a serious betrayal. He shared that she considered the removal of Gowon by those close to him to be one of the worst forms of disloyalty.

Kukah recalled that after he was ordained as a Catholic priest, his mother advised him to be cautious about the people he associates with.

As stated by Bishop Kukah: “Gowon is incredibly important to me, but my mother felt strongly that the coup against Gowon represented the greatest betrayal. And even after I became a priest, my mother told me to be careful about who I surround myself with, saying, ‘If they could remove Gowon, be wary of your friendships…See More