Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, has described President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari, and most of Nigeria’s past leaders as products of an “accidental leadership cycle.”
The Presidency, however, has countered this view, asserting that President Tinubu is not an accidental leader but a reformer well-prepared for his role.
Bishop Kukah made these remarks during the commissioning of the new Start-Rite School building and the 4th Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture in Abuja. Reflecting on Nigeria’s leadership history, Kukah pointed to a recurring lack of preparedness among the country’s leaders.
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. President Bola Tinubu, despite claiming to be prepared for the role, is clearly struggling. We are still trying to find our footing. He took over from Buhari, who had already disengaged from governance.”
Kukah continued, “Buhari succeeded Jonathan, a man who never envisioned himself as president but was thrust into leadership due to circumstances. Jonathan took over from Yar’Adua, who planned to return to teaching after his governorship. Yar’Adua succeeded Obasanjo, who was unexpectedly released from prison to become president. Before that, Obasanjo replaced Abacha, who was poised to rule indefinitely until nature intervened. Abacha followed Shonekan, a business executive abruptly drafted to lead the country. The cycle is evident, and the missing link in all of this is knowledge and preparation.”
He further argued that while Nigeria has adopted democratic principles like “one man, one vote,” its democratic processes have repeatedly failed to deliver competent leadership. Kukah emphasized that modern leadership demands a deep understanding of evolving challenges and environments.
In response to Bishop Kukah’s remarks, the Presidency defended Tinubu’s leadership. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu is a reformer dedicated to turning the country around.
Onanuga stated, “He (Tinubu) is not an accidental leader; he is doing his best to ensure that we have a turnaround in this country. Does he look like one at all? What I am saying is that the man is not an accidental leader; he was prepared for this office. He even said it himself that he prepared for it and that he is doing his best to ensure that this country is lifted higher than he met it.”
He added, “Because he prepared himself for the office, he is doing a lot of reform. He is touching every area and trying to ensure this country is turned around. Reforms are not done in quick fixes; it takes time to turn things around, and he is doing it. He is reforming a lot of things in Nigeria — taxation, the oil sector, so many reforms.”
The Presidency highlighted Tinubu’s acknowledgment of the impact of reforms on citizens and his efforts to mitigate their effects. “He is doing everything possible to ensure that those who are affected are also helped so that they will not be left behind,” Onanuga said.