PUNCH
The Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, on Sunday, described President Bola Tinubu, his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari, and other previous heads of state as leaders who found themselves in power by accident.
Kukah noted that it was evident none of them were fully prepared before assuming office, especially in a world where the demands of leadership are rapidly evolving.
The bishop made these remarks while delivering a keynote address at the official commissioning of Start-Rite School’s new building and the 4th Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture in Abuja.
Kukah lamented that the fundamental element missing in Nigerian leadership is knowledge.
While acknowledging the nation’s embrace of the democratic principle of ‘one man, one vote,’ the cleric expressed concern that democracy appears to be malfunctioning under successive administrations.
He stated, “If we are to start from the beginning, you will find that almost every leader who came to power in Nigeria did so as a result of one accident or another. President Tinubu, who said he was prepared for the role, is struggling. We are still trying to get off the ground. He took over from Buhari, who had already given up.
“Buhari succeeded Jonathan, who thought he would retire after being deputy governor, but circumstances thrust him into power. Jonathan succeeded Yar’Adua, who had planned to return to teaching at Ahmadu Bello University after his governorship.
“Yar’Adua, in turn, succeeded Obasanjo, who was unexpectedly released from prison to become president. Obasanjo took over after Abacha, who was being positioned by five political parties to rule indefinitely until nature intervened.
“Abacha succeeded Shonekan, who was a business executive at UAC before being called to serve as Head of State. We can go on and on, but the fundamental issue in governance is knowledge. Leaders need a deep understanding of their environment.”
Kukah stressed that while the world has changed, the expectations of leadership have not.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa stressed the importance of instilling leadership qualities at an early age.
Marwa attributed the country’s struggles with various societal vices to failures in leadership and accountability.
He also raised concerns about a growing syndicate of visually impaired individuals involved in the illicit drug trade in Nigeria.
