Kaigama Says Nigeria Must Punish Corrupt Leaders Now
Kaigama: Nigeria Must Punish Corrupt Leaders to Move Forward
Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Kaigama, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, has said Nigeria cannot progress unless corrupt leaders who looted public resources are held accountable.
The cleric stated this on Sunday during his pastoral visit to St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Kubwa, Abuja, where he administered the sacrament of confirmation to about 500 candidates. His visit coincided with the global celebration of the Feast of Christ the King.
Nigeria Too Polite to Corrupt Leaders
Delivering his homily anchored on readings from 2 Samuel 5:1-3, Colossians 1:12-20 and Luke 23:35-43, Kaigama lamented that Nigeria treats corrupt leaders as “sacred cows,” allowing them to enjoy their stolen wealth without consequences.
“We are too polite to leaders who stole our common patrimonies… Until we begin to punish such corrupt leaders, things can’t move forward,” he said.
The archbishop noted that while other nations like South Africa and South Korea punish leaders found guilty of wrongdoing, Nigeria continues to celebrate them—even when their ill-gotten wealth is enough to sustain “their children and children’s children.”
Where Are the Evil Perpetrators Coming From?
Kaigama expressed concern about the rising insecurity, corruption and moral decline in the country, questioning the sincerity of many Nigerians who fill churches and mosques but still perpetrate evil.
Read Also: Fear Rises as Over 300 Students Kidnapped in Nigeria
“In spite of the magnitude of evil going on in our land, people fill the churches and mosques. My question is—where are these evil perpetrators coming from? Do they really worship God?”
He also doubted the effectiveness of the Nigerian police, saying they often fail to offer the protection seen in other countries.
Nigeria’s Crisis Rooted in Tribalism and Religious Sentiment
According to Kaigama, Nigeria’s unresolved challenges can be traced back to the 1960 Nigeria-Biafra civil war, when tribal and religious sentiments began to dominate national life and resource sharing.
He warned that defending corrupt leaders based on tribe or religion is one major reason the nation is not progressing.
Calls for True Leadership and National Sacrifice
Comparing Nigeria’s governance to the sacrificial leadership of Christ, Kaigama urged political officeholders to prioritize national interest over ethnic or religious affiliations.
“Christ as a leader was sacrificial in his style. We must reject hatred and love one another.”
The archbishop also highlighted the sharp contrast between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea—another oil-producing nation—arguing that Nigeria has little to show for its vast mineral wealth.
On U.S. Threats and Foreign Intervention
Reacting to the previous designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by former U.S. President Donald Trump, Kaigama warned against military intervention by foreign powers.
“America should give us holistic help, not bombing and flying drones… That kind of help is not what we want.”
Prayers for Peace and Victims of Violence
He prayed for peace across the nation and comfort for families affected by killings and kidnappings, including students abducted in Kebbi and Niger states, a priest killed in Kaduna, and an army general murdered in Borno.
“We are tired of killings, destruction and evil. Let God enter and dwell in the hearts of over 250 million Nigerians.”
Content Credit | Olaoluwa Ayomide
Image Credit | google.com
