PROPHETIC VOICE IN A MORALLY BANKRUPT WORLD: BISHOP HASSAN KUKAH AND THE ETHICS OF NATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Abstract

In an era marked by political uncertainty, moral ambiguity, and institutional decay, the prophetic voice remains a crucial force in shaping national discourse. This paper examines the prophetic engagement of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah within the Nigerian socio-political landscape. As a cleric, scholar, and public intellectual, Kukah embodies the intersection of ethical leadership and prophetic witness. His interventions in public affairs consistently challenge both state and society to uphold justice, accountability, and the common good. Drawing on the frameworks of prophetic imagination and ethical praxis, the paper evaluates Kukah’s role in critiquing political excesses, advocating democratic ideals, and confronting religious intolerance. It also considers the criticisms directed at his interventions and assesses the broader implications of his leadership style for governance and civil society. Through a qualitative analysis of his speeches, writings, and public engagements, the study argues that Kukah’s prophetic voice offers a model of ethical leadership for Africa’s public sphere.