The Presidency has firmly rejected claims by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, that President Bola Tinubu is an “accidental leader.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described Tinubu as a leader who was well-prepared for the presidency, emphasizing that he was not thrust into power by accident.
Onanuga’s comments were in response to Kukah’s keynote address delivered at the unveiling of the new Start-Rite School building in Abuja. In his speech, the bishop had remarked that many Nigerian leaders, including Tinubu, came to power by unforeseen circumstances.
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He argued that Tinubu, despite claims of preparation, was struggling to govern and that the country was still searching for its direction.
Kukah traced Nigeria’s leadership history, stating that past leaders such as former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, and Olusegun Obasanjo, had not planned for their presidencies but were forced into leadership due to external factors.
However, Onanuga rejected this view, asserting that President Tinubu had always been determined to lead and had adequately prepared for the role.
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“Does he look like one at all? The man is not an accidental leader; he was prepared for this office,” Onanuga said in a phone interview.
He further stated that Tinubu had been undertaking wide-ranging reforms in the country, including in the oil sector and taxation, and was committed to transforming Nigeria, despite challenges.
Onanuga also highlighted the president’s reformative actions, stressing that such changes take time and acknowledging the sacrifices people would have to make during the process. “Reforms are not done in quick fixes,” Onanuga remarked, defending Tinubu’s approach to governance.
