*Says Nigeria Needs Laws, Not ‘Good Men,’ To Strengthen Democracy
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Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, called for robust anti-defection laws in Nigeria modeled after Ghana’s constitution to curb political party-switching, emphasizing that credible elections alone are insufficient for true democracy. Speaking at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos on Friday, Kukah delivered the keynote address titled “Nigeria: Time to Re-Load” during the launch of three books by journalist and former presidential spokesperson Dr. Reuben Abati, marking his 60th birthday.
Kukah, referencing Ghana’s political framework, highlighted Article 97(g) and (h) of its constitution, which prohibit members of parliament from defecting or running as independents after election on a party ticket. He noted that Ghana mandates fresh elections within 42 days of a defection, barring the defector from participating. “These defections cannot happen in Ghana, not because Ghanaians are not hungry, not because they are not angry, not because they don’t feel betrayed, but because they have a law,” Kukah said, lamenting Nigeria’s “flood of defections” that undermine democratic principles without firm legal repercussions.
The cleric faulted the over-reliance on leaders’ moral integrity, arguing, “Many of us think that all we are looking for in a democracy is good men to govern us. Absolute nonsense. We are not looking for good people; we are looking for good laws to restrain even the best from trying to break those laws.” He added that Ghana, after turbulent experiences, strengthened its institutions, including selecting the Speaker of Parliament by the President to ensure neutrality beyond party loyalty. “Once you become Speaker, you no longer hold loyalty to your party,” he said.
Kukah also urged Nigeria to define core societal values and identify “founding fathers” as moral anchors, akin to America’s revered figures. He recalled the historic exchange between Nnamdi Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto: Azikiwe advocated forgetting differences for unity, while Bello insisted on remembering them. He said this tension explains Nigeria’s current “chaotic, quarrelsome” state. “If you find yourself moving without motion, there is a reason,” Kukah reflected, calling for deep national introspection on unifying values.
Addressing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to invade Nigeria over the alleged killing of Christians, Kukah dismissed focusing on the messenger. “All of us are confusing Trump for a sickness. He’s a symptom, not a disease. Trump is a symptom of the disease that is in our country.” Citing a Yoruba proverb, “It doesn’t matter who killed a snake as long as the snake is dead,” he framed the remarks as a wake-up call to tackle self-inflicted woes like ethnic divisions, religious intolerance, corruption, over 60,000 abandoned projects, banditry, insurgency, and flawed elections. “Whether it is Trump or whoever has given us this charge, it is time for Nigeria to wake up,” he said, regretting the absence of leaders who view the nation as their full constituency.
Kukah challenged former President Goodluck Jonathan, present at the event, to document the 2013 defections of five House of Representatives lawmakers, including then-Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). “Our law says if you defect, you have to write a letter to the Speaker, who will announce that you have defected. Now that the Speaker has defected, who will make the announcement?”
Jonathan, reflecting on his rise from deputy governor to president in four years, called it “a political miracle. It’s only God that made it possible.” He commended Abati’s intellectual depth and documentation of his administration.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who chaired the event, praised Abati’s evolution from journalist to author, stressing truth as key to success and nation-building. “The truth that I stood for at that time, you have now come to stand for. You’ve made progress; now you have to make success, and may God continue to help you to make success.” He distinguished progress from success, hailing Abati as a “son” who has matured.
Book reviewer Louis Odion described the trio of works Portraits: People, Politics and Society (642 pages), How Goodluck Jonathan Became President (285 pages), and A Love Letter and Other Stories (402 pages) as mirrors of Nigeria’s “best and worst moments,” underscoring the nation’s potential for unity and progress. They offer insights into Jonathan’s presidency and Nigerian politics’ inner workings.
Abati, grateful for the platform under Jonathan, assured more revelations on the era ahead. “I’m grateful to Goodluck Jonathan for giving me the opportunity to serve. I’m grateful to my family, my friends, and my colleagues, who have supported me every step of the way.”
The event drew dignitaries including former Ogun State governors Segun Osoba and Gbenga Daniel; Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole; Abia State governor Alex Otti; Lagos Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat; EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede; Alake of Egbaland Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Olota of Ota Oba Adeyemi Abdulkabir; Ambassador Godknows Igali; Access Holdings Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; PUNCH Newspapers MD/Editor-in-Chief Joseph Adeyeye; The Guardian publisher Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru; advertising executive Biodun Shobanjo; ThisDay publisher Nduka Obaigbena; Prof. Anthony Kila; sports administrator Amaju Pinnick; Oodua Group Chairman Bimbo Ashiru; Chief Felix Fagbohungbe; Prince Julius Adelusi; actress Shaffy Bello; veteran journalist Tola Adeniyi; The Sun Newspapers MD/Editor-in-Chief Onuoha Ukeh; former presidential spokesperson Femi Adesina; Gbenga Isiaka; and book publisher Ayo Arowosegbe. Abati’s wife, Kikelomo, led family members in attendance.
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