In a blistering State of the Nation address, fiery cleric and former presidential aspirant, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has delivered a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, accusing him of plunging Nigeria into the depths of economic despair and political tyranny.
Speaking from the pulpit of The Citadel Global Community Church in Oregun, Lagos, on Sunday, Bakare did not mince words as he laid bare the failings of Tinubu’s administration. With the tone of a prophet warning of impending judgment, the outspoken pastor declared that under Tinubu’s watch, Nigeria is “descending into tyranny” and witnessing the dismantling of democratic structures.
Bakare painted a grim picture of a nation teetering on the brink. He spoke of not just widespread poverty, but of a collective national despondency—a broken spirit that no longer responds to prayer alone.
“Dear Nigerians, the past few months, since that admonition in January, have shown that those responsible for steering the course of our nation lack the humility and character this moment demands of leaders,” Bakare lamented. “What we have witnessed is a brazen abuse of power and a ruthless descent into tyranny.”
He warned that the anger simmering among the poor—neglected and battered by harsh economic policies—could erupt into full-scale political, social, and economic upheaval if urgent steps are not taken.
Bakare zeroed in on the political chaos in Rivers State, describing it as a tragic theatre orchestrated from Abuja. He condemned the federal government’s meddling in state affairs and lambasted the National Assembly for what he termed “unconstitutional complicity.” According to him, the legislature has become a mere rubber stamp, enabling executive overreach rather than acting as a check on it.
“In a functioning democracy, the legislature serves as a watchdog—not a lapdog,” Bakare declared. “Today’s lawmakers have disgraced the integrity of the National Assembly and sold out the people’s mandate for political patronage.”
The fiery cleric condemned what he described as the growing culture of “motor park politics”—a vulgar, transactional style of governance driven by crude power struggles and empty rhetoric. He blamed long-entrenched political actors for normalizing this brand of leadership and accused Tinubu of deepening it.
Bakare referenced the recent drama in the Senate, including the attempt to silence Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who dared to demand accountability from Senate leadership. He called the treatment of the senator “a disgraceful affront to the dignity of public office.”
Bakare issued perhaps his harshest rebuke yet when he claimed that Nigeria was well on its way to becoming a “mafia state,” run by a cabal determined to dismantle constitutional guardrails and institutional integrity.
“Our biggest problem is not just the constitution—it’s the occupiers of our institutions and the executors of the constitution,” he said. “Nigeria needs a state of emergency on governance. No one should be allowed to contest public office without passing rigorous psychiatric and psychological evaluations.”
Turning to the economic front, Bakare lambasted the Tinubu administration’s controversial reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies and the naira devaluation. He acknowledged the necessity of reform but accused the government of implementing them with reckless insensitivity.
“With inflation spiraling, food prices skyrocketing, and millions falling deeper into poverty, Nigerians are gasping for air,” Bakare said. “You cannot reform a nation with cold detachment and zero empathy. Leadership must have a heart.”
He expressed dismay over the plunge in foreign direct investment, the escalating food crisis, and the government’s failure to implement meaningful cushioning mechanisms for the masses.
While Bakare briefly acknowledged the increase in Nigeria’s foreign reserves from $35 billion in May 2023 to $40 billion by November 2024, he quickly warned against using such indicators as a smokescreen.
“A healthy reserve is commendable, but it cannot mask the rot at the heart of governance,” he warned. “We must not let selective progress obscure systemic failure.”
A Biblical Model for Economic Redemption
In his conclusion, Bakare offered a visionary alternative rooted in the biblical example of Joseph’s leadership during Egypt’s economic crisis. He urged the Tinubu administration to emulate Pharaoh’s humility and Joseph’s strategic foresight, proposing the establishment of locally governed networks of cities, industries, and reserves as a bulwark against economic turbulence.
“The future of Nigeria demands a total reimagining of governance,” he declared. “We need more than prayers—we need wisdom, humility, and the courage to do what is right.”
Pastor Bakare’s speech was not just a critique—it was a national wake-up call. His message to President Tinubu was clear: lead with humility, act with integrity, and govern with the people in mind—or risk pushing Nigeria further into chaos.
“In this hour of national reckoning, we must decide—shall we be a nation ruled by men, or a nation guided by principles?”
PIONEER NEWS 