“Church must remain moral light, guide” amid Fractured African Politics: Nigerian Bishop

“No matter what role the Church plays in bringing people to power, directly or indirectly, it cannot let off its guard. We must remain relentless,” the Nigerian Bishop added. 

He further said that Church leaders can borrow from St. Pope John Paul II who did not stop his prophetic role of interrogating the agencies of state after he helped end communism. 

Bishop Kukah went on to caution Church leaders against engaging in partisan politics such as vying for political seats or endorsing political candidates. 

“A pastor going to seek election under the banner of a political party surrenders his religious authority to civil authority and what he will drive to are not the teachings of the Bible because he will be aligned to the manifesto of the political party,” Bishop Kukah said.  

In his presentation during the June 30 virtual session, the Bishop also noted the reluctance of many followers of Christ to participate in governance issues.  

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He said, “We tend to view politics from the point of party politics but politics is basically the process of distribution and management of human resources, ensuring the maximum good for the maximum number of people. Party politics is completely different from the day-to-day politics that has to do with the management of resources.”

“Whether or not we go into politics, it will come to us because it is about day-to-day issues,” Bishop Kukah said. 

He went on to fault leaders who vie for political seats for the purpose of benefitting members of their ethnic groups and religion. 

“If we work on the philosophical position that politics is purely an opportunity for us to create an advantage for our people, then it is not in line with the principles of Christianity,” Bishop Kukah said.

He added that a politician who aims to create an advantage for tribemates “is not better than an ethnic entrepreneur who is using ethnicity.”

“That is not our call,” the Nigerian Bishop underscored, adding that “politics should be about the pursuit of the common good.”

He added, “As Christians, we are well placed precisely because if we follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, the teachings of the Gospel about forgiveness, the Christian commandments, private property, the family, we can take on politics and then politics will be better for Africa.” 

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.