Fixing Nigeria Requires More Than God-fearing Leader – Bishop Kukah

THE Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, on Tuesday, said fighting corruption and fixing Nigeria required more than a God-fearing leader.

Kukah said this at the launch of a book titled “The Shadow List’’ written by Todd Moss and organised by the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy in Abuja. He said to fight corruption and build the nation was not just about goodwill, but about getting to the root of the matter and tackling it head-on.

“I have said it severally; let Nigerians keep saying they want a God-fearing leader. Nigeria does not need a God-fearing leader, because God-fearing has become an excuse to appeal to Nigerians and win elections. Governance in Nigeria is a criminalized enterprise and a criminalised state cannot progress; so we must come to terms as to why it is that this country is in such low portion.”

This is vintage Kukah; a man who calls a spade a spade. Kukah, by this statement may have stirred up hornet’s nest. He has invariably made it known to Nigerians that the country is yet to have a true God-fearing man as a leader. This is despite claims by the politicians that they are God fearing.

Kukah was not far from the truth that “God- fearing” has become a gimmick for politicians to win elections. If anybody is in doubt, the actions and inactions of political leaders are enough evidence. How will a true God-fearing leader emerge in a country, where religious leaders have joined the fray, all in a bid to meet up their obligations, life style and remain relevant?

This is a country where religious leaders lack the moral authority to criticise or condemn erring political leaders because they are compromised. So what does Kukah expect in a country, where there is high level of moral deficit? This is despite the proliferation of religious bodies and worship centres.