Bishop Matthew Kukah criticized Nigerian leaders for poor preparation, describing governance as an "accidental cycle." Highlighting the failures of Tinubu, Buhari, and others, he called for better leadership. NDLEA's Buba Marwa also stressed accountability, revealing a cartel involving blind traffickers. Both urged reforms for improved governance and societal progress.
In a scathing address delivered during the commissioning of a new school building in Abuja, Bishop Matthew Kukah, the Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, criticized the leadership trajectory of Nigeria, particularly the unpreparedness of President Bola Tinubu and his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari. He described both leaders as products of an "accidental leadership cycle."
Kukah noted that Nigeria’s leadership history shows a troubling pattern of leaders who ascended to power without adequate preparation. He pointed to Tinubu’s struggles since assuming office, emphasizing that despite his claims of readiness, the country has yet to stabilize under his leadership. He drew comparisons with Buhari, who had effectively disengaged from governance by the time Tinubu took over, and even earlier leaders like Goodluck Jonathan and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who also rose to power by accident, with neither planning nor desiring the presidency.
Kukah traced this pattern of "accidental leadership" further back to Olusegun Obasanjo, who was unexpectedly released from prison and thrust into the presidency, following Sani Abacha, who was poised to rule indefinitely until his sudden death. Abacha had succeeded Ernest Shonekan, a business executive chosen at short notice to lead during a period of political turbulence.
The Archbishop’s remarks underscored a broader criticism of Nigeria’s democratic process, arguing that while the country embraces democratic ideals, its political history is marred by a lack of competent leadership. He stressed that true leadership requires preparation, foresight, and commitment—qualities he believes have been missing from Nigeria’s top echelons.
Brigadier General Buba Marwa, Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), also spoke at the event, linking Nigeria’s leadership failures to broader societal issues, particularly corruption and accountability. He highlighted disturbing trends in drug trafficking, including a cartel involving visually impaired individuals, which points to the increasing sophistication and troubling involvement in illegal activities within the country.
