Sunday, May 25, 2025 - The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has emphasised that the process of electing a Pope is guided by divine inspiration, not political entitlement or regional considerations.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm,
shortly after returning from the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in Rome, Bishop
Kukah reflected on the significance of the papal installation, the role of
religious leaders, and the moral responsibilities of African leaders.
Kukah, who also witnessed the burial of Pope Francis, noted
the Vatican’s enduring role as a global hub of moral diplomacy. “Every square
inch of that territory is a space for negotiation at the highest level,” he
said, recalling moments such as world leaders quietly engaging in private
conversations during papal events. The inauguration of a Pope, he added, draws
global attention, not just due to religious importance but because of the
Vatican’s influence as a moral compass.
He described the presence of President Bola Tinubu at the
inauguration as historic, noting it was the first time a sitting Nigerian
President attended such an event. While former President Olusegun Obasanjo was
present at Pope John Paul II’s burial, Kukah highlighted that the recent
encounter, which saw President Tinubu share a moment of conversation with Pope
Leo XIV, was symbolic, especially given both men's connections to Chicago.
Responding to opinions advocating for an African Pope, Kukah
dismissed such expectations as misguided. “Let’s win the World Cup first,” he
quipped, stressing that the Papal election is not a turn-by-turn affair. “It’s
not an ‘Emilokan’ scenario,” he said, referencing the Yoruba expression meaning
“It’s my turn,” which gained political traction in Nigerian politics. Kukah
argued that the process transcends human calculation and lobbying, asserting
that the Holy Spirit ultimately guides the outcome. With 133 cardinals
participating in the election, many unfamiliar with each other, he explained
that the process is devoid of politicking and manifesto-driven ambitions.
While some view the Pope’s global influence as an
opportunity for Africa to gain support from the international community, Kukah
offered a candid perspective. “Nigeria is not Sudan, we’re not Gaza… we are a
heck of a country with massive resources,” he said. He asserted that Africa’s
development does not rest on the Pope’s shoulders, but on the integrity and
competence of its leaders. Referring to Pope Francis’s 2023 visit to Congo,
Kukah recalled his call for the international community to take its hands off
Africa — a sentiment that reflects the Pope’s moral stance rather than
political intervention.
He also dispelled the notion of a regionally biased Pope,
saying, “There’s nothing like an African Pope. You can have a Pope who is
African, but not an African Pope.” He explained that once elected, the Pope’s
identity becomes universal, with no preferential ties to their homeland.
Drawing on examples of past Popes, he emphasised that the office demands
complete devotion to the global Church, not familial or regional loyalties.
Kukah delved into the complex relationship between religion
and politics in Nigeria, warning against the politicisation of religious and
traditional institutions. He highlighted the post-colonial tensions that
continue to influence Northern Nigeria, tracing them back to the fall of the
Sokoto Caliphate in 1903. With colonial restructuring stripping traditional
rulers of their authority, the consequences of those disruptions still linger
today, he said.
While Islam historically sought to build a theocracy,
Christianity, according to Kukah, introduced a liberal outlook where
individuals could thrive. However, Nigeria’s political structure has failed to
draw clear boundaries between religion and state. Section 10 of the
Constitution, which prohibits any state from adopting a religion, remains
largely unimplemented in practice, he said, describing the balance between
religion and governance as “very delicate.”
Kukah warned against projecting religious or ethnic
expectations onto leadership. “We Africans like to make this projection: the
President is from my town, therefore it’s our turn,” he said. Instead, he urged
African leaders to focus on governance that unites all citizens under a common
legal framework. “Islam can be a source of law, Christian values can be a
source of law, and African traditional rights can be a source of law. But all
of us must become citizens under one law.”
Touching on the place of traditional rulers in modern
governance, Kukah referenced a book by INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu that
explores the evolving relationship between traditional rulers and politicians.
He lamented that traditional institutions, once manipulated by colonial powers
for administrative purposes, remain subject to political influence in
contemporary Nigeria. “The modern Nigerian state has not improved on that
relationship,” he said.
He also clarified the distinction between religious and
traditional leadership. While traditional rulers may wield cultural influence,
they are not necessarily spiritual leaders. “A bishop must produce a
certificate of theological training. A traditional ruler needs only the
goodwill of the governor,” he said, pointing to the politically motivated
installation and removal of traditional rulers as problematic.
Kukah concluded by cautioning against entangling traditional
institutions further in national politics. He cited the growing number of legal
disputes involving traditional authorities in countries like Ghana and urged
thoughtful consideration before attempting constitutional amendments that could
disrupt the already fragile balance between Nigeria’s diverse governance
structures.
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