The Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, has labeled President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari, and other past Nigerian leaders as products of an “accidental leadership cycle,” stating that many of them assumed power without adequate preparation.
Delivering a keynote address on Sunday during the commissioning of the new Start-Rite School building and the 4th Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture in Abuja, Kukah reflected on the country’s leadership history, noting a recurring pattern of unpreparedness among Nigeria’s leaders.
Kukah remarked, “If we look at Nigeria’s leadership journey, you will find that almost every leader who came to power did so by accident.”
He cited examples, including President Tinubu, who, despite claiming to be well-prepared for leadership, is facing significant challenges.
He noted that Tinubu inherited a disengaged administration from Buhari, who had already retreated from active governance.
Bishop Kukah further pointed out the lack of foresight among previous leaders, mentioning that former President Goodluck Jonathan unexpectedly became president after the sudden death of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Jonathan himself succeeded Obasanjo, who had been released from prison and was thrust into leadership.
The list of Nigerian leaders, according to Kukah, shows a trend of individuals rising to power due to unforeseen circumstances, rather than through careful planning or preparation.
The archbishop stressed that while Nigeria has embraced democratic principles such as “one man, one vote,” the country’s democratic system has yet to yield effective and competent leadership.
He argued that modern governance requires a deep understanding of the evolving global landscape and the complexities of leadership.
During the event, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, also spoke about the importance of early leadership development, acknowledging that many of Nigeria’s challenges stem from poor leadership and accountability.
Marwa shared a shocking revelation about a drug cartel involving visually impaired individuals.
He explained that the NDLEA had uncovered a network where blind individuals were trafficking drugs. In one instance, a blind man was arrested while transporting cannabis, and subsequent investigations led to the discovery of other visually impaired individuals involved in the illegal trade.
The NDLEA chairman also honored Senator Ndoma-Egba, the founder of Start-Rite School, for organizing the lecture in memory of his late wife, Amaka Ndoma-Egba.
He praised Amaka Ndoma-Egba’s vision in establishing the school, which was founded in 2008 with only seven students and has since grown to serve over 800 students across various educational levels.
The event underscored the need for a renewed focus on leadership development and education as crucial components in addressing Nigeria’s governance issues and societal challenges.
