Matthew 5:13-16 and Political Leadership in Contemporary Nigeria

Contemporary Nigeria society is in dire need of political leaders who should be a model in words and in deeds. Hence, they should be leaders who live by matching their words with actions. Almost every regime of political leadership in Nigeria develops and projects policies that should actually transform and redefine the course of living among the people but usually fail in bringing them into reality. Most of the time, the leaders have allowed Nigerian society to be plagued with violence, hatred, tribalism, nepotism, criminality, political instability, insecurity, corruption and intimidation. Nigerian leaders do not run an impactful and purposeful government and this has resulted in rampant poverty, poor infrastructure/social amenities, banditry, kidnapping and the like. This work is therefore an interpretation of the pericope of Matthew 5:13-16 in the context of political leadership in Nigeria. Among other things, the pericope of Matt 5:13-16 tasks Nigerian politicians to see themselves as role models to Nigerians; it tasks them also to ensure the provision of basic social amenities and tackling poverty that is a chronic problem in Nigeria today. It is in this regard, that the masses will then be willing to render positive legitimacy to their political leaders and appreciate the fact that they have leaders with their interest at heart.

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