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Kaigama: An African’s Equal Opportunity to Become Pope
The passing of Pope Francis, whose burial is scheduled for Saturday, has reignited discussions regarding the possibility of an African ascending to the papacy.
Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Nigeria’s Abuja Diocese expressed that African Cardinals possess an equal opportunity to become pope, similar to candidates from any other region.
In related news, it was announced on Tuesday that numerous world leaders, including former U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Javier Milei, are expected to attend the funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Prince William will also represent the King at the funeral, according to Kensington Palace, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has met with the Pope three times, plans to attend as well.
In an interview monitored by THISDAY, Archbishop Kaigama emphasized that while qualified Africans do not have lesser chances, the current need is for a Pope with a diverse perspective. He stated, “Historically, there have been black Popes, particularly in the early centuries of the Church, but there has not been a black Pope in modern times. Who says a black person cannot be Pope?”
He affirmed, “An African can be Pope. We have African Cardinals who hold the same chances as anyone from America or Europe. However, we are not solely praying for an African Pope; we seek a good and holy Pope, regardless of race or origin—be it black, Asian, American, or European.”
Africans are hopeful that one of their own may become the first modern Black Pope, continuing Francis’s legacy of supporting the developing world, although reports suggest the likelihood of this occurring is slim.
Africa, where religion deeply influences both private and public life, is home to the fastest-growing Roman Catholic population, as indicated by recent Vatican statistics.
Charles Yapi, a Catholic priest from Ivory Coast’s commercial hub, Abidjan, remarked, “Having a Black Pope would invigorate the Christian faith in Africa and reshape perceptions of the continent by demonstrating that an African can hold this esteemed position.”
Potential African papal candidates include Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, 76, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu from the Democratic Republic of Congo, 65, and Ivory Coast’s Cardinal Ignace Bessi Dogbo, 63.
As of 2023, Africa accounted for approximately 20 percent of the global Catholic population, adding 9 million adherents the previous year.
It’s important to note that an African pope may not necessarily align with Pope Francis’s more progressive views, such as the conditional blessing of same-sex unions, which has been a contentious issue among Africa’s predominantly conservative followers. Yapi noted that an African pope might assert that same-sex relationships “are not part of our culture” and resist external pressures to accept them.
This issue could influence the cardinal electors during the conclave, as many may prefer a candidate whose views are more aligned with those of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis, aged 88, passed away on Monday following a stroke and cardiac arrest, marking the end of a often tumultuous papacy characterized by conflicts with traditionalists and advocacy for the marginalized.
He spent five weeks hospitalized earlier this year due to double pneumonia and had been on a path to recovery. However, the Vatican reported that his death was swift and painless. He began feeling unwell around 5:30 a.m. (0330 GMT) on Monday, received immediate attention, and approximately an hour later, he bid farewell to his nurse before slipping into a coma. His time of death was recorded at 7:35 a.m.
As part of the funeral preparations, his body will be transported to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m. in a procession led by cardinals, where he will lie in state until Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service is set for the following day at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista, the 91-year-old Dean of the College of Cardinals.
While Europe still represents the largest portion of cardinal electors at approximately 39 percent, this is a decrease from 52 percent in 2013 when Pope Francis took office. The second largest group of electors now hails from Asia and Oceania, making up about 20 percent.
The Anambra Government has imposed a one-month sanction on Blossom Fount School, Awka, for allegedly selling the position of head prefect during a student election.
This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh.
According to the commissioner, the school reportedly demanded N5,000 from each pupil aspiring to become head prefect in the primary section.
Chuma-Udeh condemned the act, describing it as an attempt to “sell the psyche of the children to the highest bidder from the cradle.”
According to her, such practices are unacceptable under the administration of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo.
She said that an investigation was ongoing to examine the school’s broader management practices, with the possibility of further actions based on the findings.
Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the arrest and continued detention of former House of Representatives member, Muhammad Kazaure, describing it as a violation of due process.
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, Atiku said Kazaure’s detention reflects a brazen disregard for the rule of law, accusing the anti-graft agency of operating beyond the limits of the Nigerian Constitution.
Atiku alleged that the EFCC is increasingly becoming a tool for political repression, citing what he called a troubling pattern of lawlessness under the current administration.
He said, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has once again plunged headlong into its well-worn pattern of lawlessness, arresting and detaining citizens with brazen disregard for due process and without offering any justification for its actions.”
Atiku also referenced the recent arrest of social commentator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, whose release followed intense public pressure. He suggested that Kazaure’s case fits into a broader trend of state institutions being used to silence dissenting voices.
“We witnessed this same abuse in the unlawful arrest and detention of Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, whose release was only secured after massive public outrage and pressure.
“Now, the EFCC has targeted Hon. Muhammad Kazaure, a former member of the House of Representatives and an unapologetic critic of the gross misgovernance and failings of the Tinubu administration.
“Abducted in Kano and whisked away to Abuja, Kazaure is presently being held incommunicado, with no formal charge or explanation offered to his family, legal team, or the Nigerian people.
“Let it be stated without equivocation: even if there were legitimate grounds for arresting any citizen, such action must adhere strictly to the rule of law. The EFCC is duty-bound to publicly disclose the reasons for any arrest and must not detain individuals indefinitely under the guise of investigation.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is unequivocal on this matter—every detainee must be promptly charged to court or released. By once again trampling on the fundamental rights of a Nigerian citizen, the EFCC is entrenching itself deeper into the mire of impunity and constitutional delinquency.
“It’s deafening silence regarding the arrest of Hon. Kazaure, a man who represented the good people of Kazaure, Roni, Gwiwa, and Yankwashi federal constituency, lays bare the agency’s contempt for transparency and justice.
Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has ignited social media buzz after posting a 15-second TikTok video set to the trending song Omo Ologo — a track closely linked with President Bola Tinubu.
The video, shared on her TikTok page on May 8, shows the embattled lawmaker smiling and playfully interacting with the camera. Captioned, “Just for fun, song choked,” the post has drawn mixed reactions online, with some interpreting it as a light-hearted moment, while others suspect a deeper political undertone.
The video comes just days after the song Omo Ologo was performed live by Kano-based singer Dauda Kahutu Rarara during a dinner in Katsina State held in honour of President Tinubu, who was on a two-day working visit to assess security in the region.
The song, which blends Hausa and Yoruba, praises Tinubu as a victorious leader who has outlasted his critics.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s TikTok post follows a series of dramatic exchanges between her and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The senator was suspended from the upper legislative chamber in March after accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment — an allegation that triggered heated debate in the National Assembly.
In what appeared to be a bold response to her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan recently posted a sarcastic apology video to Akpabio on Facebook, in which she claimed she was sorry “for the crime of maintaining dignity and self-respect.”
The post was accompanied by a short video, further fueling controversy.
Akpabio’s legal team has since approached a federal high court in Abuja, seeking an order compelling the senator to delete the post from her social media pages.
In a counter-affidavit filed by her lawyer, Jubril Okutepa (SAN), Akpoti-Uduaghan’s camp described the motion as an attempt to silence and intimidate her.
The court is expected to rule on the matter on May 12.