Kukah Criticizes Nigeria’s Leadership as “Accidental,”

Kukah Criticizes Nigeria’s Leadership as “Accidental,” Tinubu Defends His Readiness

Bishop Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, has called out President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari, and many other Nigerian leaders, labeling them as products of an “accidental leadership cycle.” He expressed concerns that many of the nation’s leaders assumed power without sufficient preparation, a critical flaw in an era where governance requires continual adaptation to complex challenges.

In his keynote address at the commissioning of the new Start-Rite School building and the 4th Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture in Abuja, Kukah highlighted a consistent pattern of unprepared leadership throughout Nigeria’s history. Reflecting on past presidencies, he stated, “If we look at Nigeria’s leadership journey, you will find that almost every leader who came to power did so by accident.”

Kukah’s observations pointed to a recurring cycle where leaders assumed power due to unforeseen circumstances. He cited the example of President Tinubu, who, despite asserting that he was prepared for office, is facing challenges in governance. “Tinubu took over from Buhari, who had already disengaged from governance,” Kukah remarked, adding that Buhari himself was not fully prepared to lead after succeeding Goodluck Jonathan, who never envisioned himself as president. The pattern continued with leaders like Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who was unexpectedly thrust into power after President Obasanjo’s release from prison, and even further back to Sani Abacha, who was poised for indefinite rule until his untimely death.

Kukah argued that while Nigeria embraces democratic values like “one man, one vote,” the system continues to fail in delivering competent leadership. He emphasized that modern leadership demands thorough preparation, deep understanding, and the ability to navigate a rapidly changing world.

In response, the Presidency defended President Tinubu’s readiness for leadership. Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, dismissed the claim that Tinubu was an accidental leader, stating that the president is a reformer actively working to drive change in the country. Onanuga emphasized, “He is not an accidental leader; he was prepared for this office. Tinubu has said himself that he prepared for the role and is dedicated to ensuring Nigeria’s advancement.”

Onanuga acknowledged that reform takes time but asserted that Tinubu’s efforts to overhaul sectors such as taxation and the oil industry are signs of substantial progress. “Reforms don’t happen overnight,” Onanuga said, stressing that the president is focused on improving the country’s systems while ensuring that those affected by changes are supported.

Despite the differing views, it’s clear that the debate about the readiness of Nigeria’s leaders, particularly President Tinubu, is central to discussions on the country’s future trajectory. While Kukah critiques the pattern of unprepared leadership, the Presidency underscores the deliberate reforms being made under Tinubu’s administration.