Catholic Bishop Matthew Kukah has used the recent election of Pope Leo XIV to highlight the stark differences between spiritual leadership selection and Nigeria's political "turn-by-turn" mentality. In a Channels TV interview, the Sokoto cleric dismissed notions that papal elections follow the "Emi Lokan" (it's my turn) ideology popularized by President Tinubu, emphasizing divine selection over political entitlement. The comparison offers a pointed commentary on Nigeria's transactional politics as the country grapples with leadership crises.
- Sacred vs Secular: Kukah stressed papal elections are guided by the Holy Spirit, not human calculations like Nigeria's rotation politics
- Tinubu Connection: Directly referenced the President's famous 2022 "Emi Lokan" declaration during APC primaries
- African Hopes Dashed: Noted continent's long wait for a pope despite Cardinal Arinze's near-miss in 2005
- Divine Surprise: Explained why papal elections often defy expert predictions and regional expectations
- No Home Advantage: Unlike Nigerian leaders, popes don't privilege their home countries after election
When spiritual and political leadership selection collide in public discourse, the fault lines of governance values become visible.
