Pastor Tunde Bakare Criticizes Leadership, Calls for Urgent Reforms in Nigeria
In a powerful State of the Nation address delivered at The Citadel Global Community Church in Lagos, Pastor Tunde Bakare expressed grave concerns about Nigeria’s current trajectory. The clergyman, who once vied for the presidency under the All Progressives Congress (APC), criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its handling of the nation’s economic and political crises.
Bakare lamented the deepening poverty and collective despair among Nigerians, emphasizing that the nation’s challenges extend beyond material hardship to a profound erosion of hope. He warned that without decisive and empathetic leadership, the growing discontent among the populace could lead to widespread unrest.
Drawing inspiration from the biblical story of Joseph, Bakare urged the government to adopt a leadership style marked by humility and wisdom. He called on President Tinubu to prioritize the nation’s recovery by seeking expert counsel and implementing policies that address the root causes of Nigeria’s challenges.
The pastor did not mince words in his critique of the National Assembly, describing it as a “rubber-stamp institution” under the current administration. He highlighted recent incidents, including the treatment of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as evidence of a troubling decline in democratic values and institutional integrity.
Bakare also addressed the economic hardships exacerbated by recent policy decisions, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira. While acknowledging the necessity of reforms, he criticized the administration for failing to mitigate their impact on ordinary Nigerians, who are grappling with soaring inflation and food insecurity.
Despite his criticisms, Bakare acknowledged some positive developments, such as the increase in foreign reserves. However, he stressed that these achievements should not overshadow the urgent need for comprehensive governance reforms.
In his conclusion, Bakare proposed a visionary model for economic recovery, inspired by the governance strategies of ancient Egypt. He called for a reimagining of Nigeria’s political and economic structures to ensure long-term stability and prosperity.
