The Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Kukah, has given an insight into the type of leaders, particularly the person that should be elected by Nigerians as the next Nigeria president.

He said it was important for Nigerians to move away from voting based on ethnic, religious, or political sentiments and vote for someone who is capable of tackling the perennial challenges facing the country.

Kukah, who gave the insight during an interview on Arise TV on Friday, maintained that though the frontline candidates are individually qualified to lead the country, it was important for Nigerians to see through them and choose wisely.

The cleric said the era of rhetorics must be put behind Nigerians and that the electorates must sieve and interrogate the presidential candidates on their ideology, plans and governance style before making their choice.

“The people must interrogate their (presidential candidates) ability and capacity to govern by sheer brain and not bribe. The point is that even the whole idea of leadership is often exaggerated because we are confusing political officeholders with leaders.

“It is only in Nigeria that there is so much focus on the centre. Society can only grow when we extend the frontiers of knowledge and opportunities.

“Critical to all of these, we are looking for a president that has the understanding of the complexity of what is wrong with Nigeria. It is not just about people just aspiring without an understanding of the issues.


“My argument is that anybody who aspires to rule Nigeria and we have the opportunity to, we (Nigerians) must redesign the template of confrontation and you (presidential candidate) must be able to confront Nigerians and answer their questions.

“I am not and won’t be surprised if the candidates are moving up and down and convincing us by taking minimalist positions and telling us these and that are what they are going to do.

“I won’t also be surprised if the next president of Nigeria tells us he would tackle insecurity, increase power generation, and what have you.

“The critical question is that aspiring leaders must be subjected to a litmus test by the people. The people must ask questions like since you (presidential candidate) said you want to deal with insecurity, can we get a sense of how you want to do it and achieve success? Can you show us from your background how you will be able to do this?

“Fortunately for us, the frontline candidates have a track record and those track records must be what we must use to project the nature of the choice we have to make,” the cleric who recently celebrated his 70th birthday said.

He said it was important for the political actors, particularly the presidential candidates to listen to the young people, understand their frustrations, and align their agenda toward assuaging their grievances.

“The passion that drove people in 2015 has dissipated. The people have understood they were lied to and we have all seen the consequences of religious manipulations.


“The young people have become aware of this and they are asking the right questions. I encourage the politicians to go to the nooks and crannies of Nigerians to sell their convictions.

“The energy in this coming election is tremendous and I am excited about the energy of the young people and their attention to the country’s election,” he said.

He added, “I believe that Nigerians are energised and they have a choice to make. But we must ensure we see through the candidates and choose right to get the desired outcome.”

OyeofIkoTuN:
Kukah dey find disrespect and he will get it in abundance. Trash

Racoon:
Someone pieced a good writeup of this kind and this nonsense is all you could say. You are the one talking trash here man.

OyeofIkoTuN:
We dont need nonsense clergymen speaking parables. t's either you are in or out. No sitting on the fence. We didn't see him in Owo during the massacre so sharap.No nonsense.Good write up my foot. So minority shut your trash

Racoon:
He gave a clear cut explanation on what the electorate should demand and be convinced about the candidates with picking a favourite yet you are still saying "sitting on a fence" What more more analysis do you expect than this? "Ridicule is the first and last argument of a fool.” — Charles Simmons

yomi961:
Majority of Peter Obi's supporters were once Atiku's fans. As a matter of fact, most of them voted for Atiku in 2019. Now that they have brokert camp, they have rather reduced Atiku's votes – a move which Tinubu is well pleased with. Of course Tinubu knows that only an Atiku poses threat to his presidential ambition.
Most of those campaigning for po are APC urchins.

yomi961:
Majority of Peter Obi's supporters were once Atiku's fans. As a matter of fact, most of them voted for Atiku in 2019. Now that they have brokert camp, they have rather reduced Atiku's votes – a move which Tinubu is well pleased with. Of course Tinubu knows that only an Atiku poses threat to his presidential ambition.
Most of those campaigning for po are APC urchins.

Jflex07:
It is not fair that another Fulani man takeover after Buhari else I would have no problem voting for Turaki

abobote:

Focus on the topic

yomi961:
but in all reality, he is the only option we have got, he is not a tribalist, he is a nationalist, his 1st wife is a Yoruba woman and a Christian.
I would rather have him than a Muslim Muslim demonic ticket with a bokoharam as a vp

OyeofIkoTuN:
Kukah dey find disrespect

and he will get it in abundance

trash

Jflex07:
yea,i rather have him than Tinubu and Apc but the south south and south east are upset with the pdp. I am from port Harcourt and we believe that the pdp betrayed us irrrespctive of the fact that our region has been loyal to the party from the onset. The presidency ought to be zoned to the south especially to the south east for justice and equity sake.. We are not second class citizens and that is why we want to vote in Mr Peter no matter the outcome but I hope that if Mr Peter does not win mr Atiku should win it.

yomi961:
Majority of Peter Obi's supporters were once Atiku's fans. As a matter of fact, most of them voted for Atiku in 2019. Now that they have brokert camp, they have rather reduced Atiku's votes – a move which Tinubu is well pleased with. Of course Tinubu knows that only an Atiku poses threat to his presidential ambition.
Most of those campaigning for po are APC urchins.

yomi961:
Majority of Peter Obi's supporters were once Atiku's fans. As a matter of fact, most of them voted for Atiku in 2019. Now that they have brokert camp, they have rather reduced Atiku's votes – a move which Tinubu is well pleased with. Of course Tinubu knows that only an Atiku poses threat to his presidential ambition.
Most of those campaigning for po are APC urchins.

EndsarsReloaded:


PDP just organized a so-called one million man march in Asaba and less than 20 people came out! The same state capital where Okowa, Atiku's vice is from. What does that tell you? The entire SS and SE have rejected PDP!

If you guys are serious, now is the time to focus on NW and NE. If you allow Tinubu to decimate you there then even Kwankwaso will end up ahead of Atiku.

treesun:


Send us pictures and stop all these lies! Obi that promised to raise electricity without telling us how!

EndsarsReloaded:


I won't spoon-feed you, lazy Nigerian youth! The video of the disgraceful PDP rally in Asaba is all over Twitter & other SM platforms.

Peter Obi already has everything planned, you don't expect him to reveal it all.

johnmartus:
Because he didn't say Obi should voted for right. This peter obi supporters are very stupid.