Professor Kunle Macaulay, a theologian and Christian leader, has expressed strong views on Nigeria’s political landscape, describing the country as a plutocracy governed by wealthy individuals who amassed their riches from public funds. Macaulay, speaking from his experience as a senior citizen and theological researcher, presented the position of Christian scholars and professional experts concerning the state of governance, leadership, and human development in the country.
According to him, Nigeria is richly blessed by God with both human and natural resources, but the nation has continued to suffer due to the leadership of unfaithful politicians. He cited the confession of former military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, who admitted to dragging Nigeria, a secular state, into the membership of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as an example of unfaithful leadership.
Macaulay further observed that desperation among Nigerian politicians to hold onto power has fueled a dangerous “do-or-die” political culture. He accused political leaders of refusing to serve the people faithfully, while using the police to intimidate and threaten those who point out irregularities and ills in governance.
He described Nigeria as the most populous African nation, with over 520 languages and 371 tribes. Since gaining independence in 1960, Macaulay noted that the country has struggled to establish effective governance. He blamed the long years of military rule for weakening political structures, as soldiers, untrained in governance, took over a nation they were only meant to protect territorially. Currently, Nigeria is grappling with both political and economic instability, further compounded by religious interference in governance.
Highlighting the role of Christian scholars, Macaulay said many experts have repeatedly advised the government to embrace reforms. However, their voices, including constructive criticism of the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu, have largely been ignored. Macaulay acknowledged that Tinubu surrounded himself with experienced politicians, but these individuals have often distracted the President from focusing on critical domestic reforms.
He recalled that during the election, Tinubu presented a vigorous reform agenda, which ultimately earned him victory in a nation with over 200 million citizens. However, Macaulay lamented that the reality under Tinubu’s administration is far from the promises made.
“Nigeria is a plutocracy,” Macaulay said, stressing that the nation is governed by wealthy elites whose fortunes, in many cases, were derived from looting public coffers. Many former governors and parliamentarians walking freely today have pending fraud and financial mismanagement cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and in the courts. Meanwhile, ordinary Nigerians are left to wallow in poverty, while public officials live in affluence.
Macaulay also disclosed that many Nigerians, particularly Christian scholars, have demanded a constitutional amendment to ensure Nigeria operates strictly as a secular state. They also called for Nigeria’s withdrawal from the OIC and warned the Federal Government against any attempt to expand Sharia law to the South-West. These scholars insisted that the government must adhere strictly to Section 10 of the Nigerian Constitution, which forbids adopting any religion as state religion.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us, and its failure or success affects everyone,” Macaulay emphasized, noting that the nation’s fragile economy, worsened by excessive foreign loans, has put the country’s future at risk. He called for drastic cuts to heavy public spending and urged government officials to curb their selfish interests.
Christian intellectuals, according to Macaulay, also expressed concern that social and political liberalism is driving Nigerian youths into immorality and sin.
He warned that developed nations thrive because they listen to scholars and successful industrialists, who provide knowledge that drives revolutionary development. Ignoring such experts, Macaulay said, will only push Nigeria closer to destruction.
In conclusion, Macaulay appealed to all patriotic Nigerians to contribute their voices and urged the government to listen. He stressed the need to empower local governments to meet grassroots needs and advised President Tinubu to govern inclusively by considering all states in his policies.
He also cautioned religious leaders against forming inappropriate alliances with politicians, urging them to allow Nigeria to operate orderly under its secular constitution. Finally, he charged elderly Nigerians to stop keeping silent, warning that their silence only allows evil to thrive.
