The Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, has described President Bola Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari as part of Nigeria’s cycle of unprepared leaders.
Speaking during the commissioning of Start-Rite School’s new building and the 4th Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture in Abuja, Kukah argued that Nigeria’s leadership challenges stem from a history of accidental governance.
Kukah explained that many Nigerian leaders assumed office under unexpected circumstances rather than through deliberate preparation and clear plans. 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.”
The cleric also criticized Nigeria’s democratic system, saying it is not delivering the expected results. He emphasized the importance of leadership rooted in deep knowledge and preparation, which he believes is often lacking in the country’s governance.
Bishop Kukah’s remarks highlight ongoing concerns about leadership quality and governance in Nigeria, sparking renewed debates about the nation’s political future.
