President Bola Tinubu, despite claiming to be prepared for the role, is clearly struggling – Bishop Kukah

Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, has characterized President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari, and many of Nigeria’s past leaders as products of an “accidental leadership cycle.”

In response, the Presidency refuted this claim, describing President Tinubu as a reformer who was thoroughly prepared for his position.

Bishop Kukah shared his perspective during the commissioning of the new Start-Rite School building and the 4th Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture in Abuja, highlighting a recurring trend of unpreparedness among Nigeria’s leaders throughout its history.

He stated, “If we look at Nigeria’s leadership journey, you will find that almost every leader who came to power did so by accident. President Bola Tinubu, despite claiming to be prepared for the role, is clearly struggling. We are still trying to find our footing. He took over from Buhari, who had already disengaged from governance.”

Kukah continued, “Buhari succeeded Jonathan, a man who never envisioned himself as president but was thrust into leadership due to circumstances. Jonathan took over from Yar’Adua, who planned to return to teaching after his governorship. Yar’Adua succeeded Obasanjo, who was unexpectedly released from prison to become president. Before that, Obasanjo replaced Abacha, who was poised to rule indefinitely until nature intervened. Abacha followed Shonekan, a business executive abruptly drafted to lead the country. The cycle is evident, and the missing link in all of this is knowledge and preparation.”