The Presidency has countered recent comments made by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, who described many Nigerian leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, as accidental leaders unprepared for the demands of governance.
Responding to the claims, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, defended Tinubu’s leadership, insisting that the President does not fit into the category of accidental leaders.
Speaking in a phone interview with Vanguard on Sunday night, Onanuga asserted that Tinubu had meticulously prepared for the presidency and is committed to implementing reforms aimed at transforming the nation.
“Does he look like an accidental leader at all?” Onanuga asked rhetorically. “The man is not an accidental leader. He prepared for this office, and he has been doing his best to ensure the country experiences a turnaround. Tinubu himself has said he was ready for this role, and we are already seeing the results of his efforts.”
Onanuga highlighted the President’s ongoing reforms, emphasizing their long-term impact on the economy and governance. “Reforms are not quick fixes,” he said. “They take time, but President Tinubu is addressing critical areas like taxation and the oil sector to ensure Nigeria is set on a sustainable path. He is aware of the challenges and is working to mitigate their impact on affected citizens.”
The presidential aide also praised Tinubu’s acknowledgment of the hardships some citizens face due to his policies, stressing that efforts are being made to support vulnerable groups during the transition.
Bishop Kukah’s remarks were made earlier on Sunday during the inauguration of the new Start-Rite School building and the 4th Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture in Abuja.
Kukah had described Nigeria’s leadership history as one marked by unprepared leaders thrust into power through unforeseen circumstances.
The cleric commented on Tinubu’s leadership, stating, “President Tinubu, who said he was prepared, is struggling. We are still trying to find our footing. He succeeded Buhari, who had already disengaged from governance.”
Tracing Nigeria’s leadership trajectory, Kukah highlighted a recurring pattern of unprepared leaders, citing former presidents, including Muhammadu Buhari, Goodluck Jonathan, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and Olusegun Obasanjo.
Reflecting on these transitions, he noted, “Buhari took over from Jonathan, who never envisioned himself as president. Jonathan succeeded Yar’Adua, who planned to return to academia after his governorship. Yar’Adua replaced Obasanjo, who was unexpectedly released from prison and became president. This cycle highlights the absence of adequate preparation in leadership transitions.”
The event also commemorated the late Amaka Ndoma-Egba, founder of Start-Rite School and wife of former Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, who passed away in a car accident in 2020.