The Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Most Reverend Matthew Hassan Kukah has charged Nigerian lawmakers to embrace accountability.
Speaking on Sunday at the National Assembly during the commissioning of the legislature’s first-ever Christian chapel, the cleric reminding the lawmakers that all earthly authority is temporary and subject to a higher divine power.
“I think all lawmakers must have the same humility, because the eternal lawmaker is God himself,” Bishop Kukah declared during the ceremony, which was attended by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, ministers, and diplomats.
He warned against the dangers of division and hypocrisy, stressing that the laws enacted by the legislature should reflect the unity of the over 200 million Nigerians they serve.
The Bishop emphasized that true leadership lies in the ability to see shared humanity across religious and ethnic lines.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the new chapel as a spiritual covenant between the lawmakers and God.
Reflecting on the essence of leadership, Akpabio remarked, “While men legislate for a season, God legislates for eternity.”
He urged his colleagues to recognize the moral weight of their roles, noting that the chapel was built through the private contributions of past and present lawmakers not public funds as a symbol of their collective commitment to God-guided governance.
Akpabio further called on Nigerians to prioritize competence and patriotism over the divisive politics of identity.
Adding his voice to the charge, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, reminded the legislators that their positions are a sacred trust for which they will eventually be held accountable.
Kalu emphasized that laws must do more than exist on paper; they must solve the tangible problems of the citizens.
He noted that the presence of the chapel within the National Assembly serves as a constant reminder that public policy must be people-centered and forward-looking, urging lawmakers to rise above narrow regional or religious interests.
The ceremony also featured significant contributions from former leaders. Former House Speaker Yakubu Dogara cited biblical mandates for repentance, suggesting that national revival is impossible without a genuine turning away from injustice.
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, also urged the assembly to prioritize national unity, stating, “God says that we should love one another as we love ourselves. We must use this to ensure the continuity and unity of this country.”
By establishing a dedicated place of worship within the seat of power, Nigeria’s top leaders have signaled a desire to align their legislative duties with higher moral principles, challenging one another to match the symbolic building with a renewed, service-oriented approach to governance.
