Bishop Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, has stirred the hornet’s nest when he described Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and most past Nigerian leaders as products of an “accidental leadership cycle.”
Kukah made these remarks at the commissioning of the new Start-Rite School building and the 4th Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture in Abuja over the weekend.
According to Kukah, many of these leaders assumed power without adequate preparation, particularly concerning today’s fast-paced world.
Kukah cited examples from Nigeria’s leadership history, including President Tinubu, who he claims is struggling despite his claims of being prepared. “If we look at Nigeria’s leadership journey, you will find that almost every leader who came to power did so by accident,” Kukah said.
He also mentioned former presidents like Muhammadu Buhari, Goodluck Jonathan, and Olusegun Obasanjo, who all came to power under unexpected circumstances.
Kukah argued that this lack of preparation has hindered Nigeria’s progress, stating that “the missing link in all of this is knowledge and preparation.” He reasoned that modern leadership requires a deep understanding of the evolving environment and challenges.
However, the Presidency has countered Kukah’s claims, describing Tinubu as a reformer who has already positively impacted various sectors of the country.
According to Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu is not an accidental leader but a prepared and capable one working tirelessly to turn the country around.
“He is not an accidental leader, he is doing his best to ensure that we have a turnaround in this country,” Onanuga said.
“Does he look like one at all?… He prepared himself for the office, he is doing a lot of reform, he is touching every area and he is trying to make sure that this country is being turned around,” the presidential adviser said.
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