Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has asserted that the president is not a product of accidental leadership, contrary to the claims made by Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah.
Kukah, during a recent statement, criticized the leadership trajectories of Tinubu, his predecessor Muhammadu Buhari, and other former Nigerian leaders, describing them as outcomes of an “accidental leadership cycle.”
According to Kukah, many of these leaders assumed office without adequate preparation for the complex demands of governance.
In a strongly worded rebuttal, Onanuga dismissed Kukah’s characterization, emphasizing that Tinubu had meticulously prepared himself for the presidency and was implementing wide-ranging reforms aimed at national transformation.
“He (Tinubu) is not an accidental leader. He is doing his best to ensure that we have a turnaround in this country,” Onanuga declared in a statement.
He further added, “Does he look like one at all? What I am saying is that the man is not an accidental leader. He was prepared for this office. He even said it himself that he prepared for it and that he is doing his best to ensure that this country is lifted higher than he met it. He is doing his best.”
Highlighting Tinubu’s reform agenda, Onanuga elaborated, “Because he prepared himself for the office, he is doing a lot of reforms. He is touching every area, and he is trying to make sure that this country is being turned around.”
Addressing Kukah’s remarks about Tinubu’s struggles in governance, Onanuga acknowledged the complexities of reform, asserting that meaningful change requires time and sustained effort.
“For those who said that the President is an accidental leader, that is the reason he is struggling. Tinubu has shown that he is a reformer, and reforms are not done in quick fixes. It takes time for you to turn things around, and he is doing it.”
Since assuming office, President Tinubu has embarked on ambitious reforms across various sectors, including economic policy overhauls, infrastructural development, and institutional restructuring. Onanuga’s remarks appear aimed at countering skepticism regarding the president’s capability and vision.
Kukah’s critique and Onanuga’s response reflect broader debates on the quality of leadership in Nigeria and the challenges of governance in a nation grappling with multifaceted socio-economic issues.
