Ruminating On Bad Leadership In Nigeria From A Biblical Perspective, by Isaac Asabor

The Bible’s wisdom on leadership provides a profound lens through which we can view Nigeria’s contemporary political and governance issues. In particular, Proverbs 29:2. “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan”, resonates with the reality faced by Nigerians today. This scripture reflects the distress many Nigerians feel under leaders who seem detached from the sufferings of the populace, implementing policies that often aggravate rather than alleviate the challenges facing the nation. Yet, the Bible offers guidance on how believers should navigate these turbulent times, even when bad leadership prevails.

Nigeria’s leadership crises are not new, but the current climate under President Bola Tinubu’s administration highlights the deep frustration among citizens. As economic instability, widespread unemployment, and poverty intensify, many Nigerians feel as though they are under the weight of oppressive leadership. This echoes the situation described in the Bible, where bad rulers inflict suffering upon the people, often justifying their actions as beneficial, even when the evidence suggests otherwise. As believers, how are we to respond to this reality? The Bible provides answers through the example of Jesus, particularly during His trial before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.

In John 19:10-11, Pilate, representing corrupt and oppressive authority, boasts of his power over Jesus, claiming the authority to either release Him or crucify Him. Jesus’ response is striking: “You could have no power at all against me unless it had been given you from above.” Jesus, though facing imminent death, does not challenge Pilate’s authority or resist his judgment. Instead, He recognizes that all power, even that wielded by an unjust ruler, ultimately comes from God.

This passage offers an important lesson for Nigerians dealing with bad leadership. While the frustration with corrupt or incompetent leaders is valid, the Bible calls for a different perspective: one that acknowledges that no authority exists without God’s knowledge or permission. Jesus’ response to Pilate teaches us that even when leadership is oppressive, God is still in control. Nigeria’s leadership, like all human authority, operates under God’s sovereign will, and this is a critical point of reflection for believers.

The challenge for many Nigerians, particularly Christians, is balancing the Biblical call to submit to authorities with the reality of living under bad leadership. Romans 13:1 says, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” On the surface, this can seem like a command to accept poor leadership without question. But does this mean that Christians should turn a blind eye to corruption, incompetence, or injustice?

Absolutely not. Biblical submission is not passive acceptance of evil. Instead, it is a recognition that while we may suffer under bad leaders, our ultimate hope and trust are in God, not in human governments. Jesus did not fight back against Pilate, not because Pilate was just, but because Jesus trusted that God’s will was being worked out, even through injustice. This is a powerful reminder to Nigerian Christians that while it is natural to be frustrated by poor leadership, our response should not be one of rebellion or despair but one of faith in God’s greater plan.

In Nigeria, where leadership often fails to meet the expectations of the people, we are faced with choices. Do we respond with anger and defiance, or do we recognize that even bad leadership falls under God’s ultimate authority? The Bible does not call for blind allegiance to unjust rulers but rather a trust in God’s sovereignty and a commitment to righteousness in our own actions.

One of the hallmarks of bad leadership, both in biblical times and today, is the ability of leaders to justify their harmful actions. Proverbs 16:2 tells us, “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes.” This perfectly encapsulates the behavior of many Nigerian leaders who, despite evidence of corruption, greed, or incompetence, justify their actions as being for the greater good. Whether it is embezzling public funds, implementing harsh economic policies, or neglecting infrastructure, these leaders often present themselves as being on the right path, even as the people suffer.

This self-justification was seen in the enemies of Jesus. They believed they were doing the right thing by condemning Him to death because He was perceived as a threat to their authority. Similarly, many Nigerian leaders implement policies that seem to benefit only the elite, while the masses struggle with poverty, unemployment, and inflation. And yet, these leaders often convince themselves and others that their actions are in the best interest of the nation.

A contemporary example is the recent fuel subsidy removal under the Tinubu administration, which has led to skyrocketing prices of essential goods and services. While the government claims that the policy is necessary for long-term economic stability, many Nigerians find themselves grappling with severe financial hardship. The justification for this and other harsh policies is often that the pain is temporary and necessary for future prosperity. However, just as Pilate could not see beyond his immediate power, many leaders fail to see or acknowledge the long-term damage their decisions cause to the nation.

The Bible gives us a powerful example of how to respond to bad leadership in the life of Jesus. At His trial, everything seemed stacked against Him. Pilate had the power to release or crucify Him, and the Jewish leaders had already condemned Him. Jesus, however, chose not to fight back, recognizing that Pilate’s authority was permitted by God for a greater purpose.

This does not mean that Nigerians should remain silent in the face of injustice. Jesus Himself spoke out against the Pharisees and other religious leaders who were corrupt and oppressive. But when it came to His own personal suffering under an unjust ruler, Jesus trusted in God’s plan and submitted to Pilate’s authority, knowing that His ultimate vindication would come from God.

For Nigerian Christians, this example is instructive. We are called to hold our leaders accountable, to speak out against corruption, and to advocate for justice. However, we must do so with the understanding that our ultimate hope lies not in the government but in God. Bad leaders will come and go, but God’s purpose remains.

The key question for believers in Nigeria is whether we have the faith to trust that God is still in control, even when leadership seems to be failing. Do we believe, as Jesus did, that God has a plan for our nation, even when bad leaders make decisions that seem to harm rather than help? Do we see our suffering as part of a larger divine narrative in which God is working all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28)?

The temptation in Nigeria, as in any country with bad leadership, is to lose hope, to believe that the nation’s future is solely in the hands of corrupt politicians. But the Bible reminds us that no leader, no matter how powerful or corrupt, operates outside of God’s will. Jesus’ example shows us that faith in God’s sovereignty allows us to endure even the worst leadership with hope and peace.

In conclusion, the Bible provides a clear framework for understanding how to deal with bad leadership. The example of Jesus before Pilate teaches us that even when rulers are corrupt or oppressive, they operate under God’s ultimate authority. As Nigerian Christians, we are called to trust that God is in control, even when leadership fails. Our response to bad leaders should be one of faith and hope, knowing that God’s purpose will prevail. In the midst of bad leadership, we must remain faithful witnesses, holding on to the truth that God’s sovereignty is greater than any earthly power.