KEY POINTS

• Pastor Tunde Bakare warns that Nigeria is drifting into tyranny under Tinubu’s leadership.

• The National Assembly is described as ineffective and manipulated through political influence.

• The removal of fuel subsidy and Naira floatation led to widespread poverty and failed promises.

The Presiding Overseer of the Global Community Citadel Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has raised a serious alarm, claiming that Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is spiralling into tyranny and suffering from a brazen abuse of power.

During his state of the nation address to mark the Easter celebrations, Pastor Tunde Bakare expressed deep concern about the direction of the country under the present administration.

He criticised what he described as the clear erosion of democracy, singling out the collapse of the legislature as particularly troubling.

According to him, the legislature, once a bastion of democracy, is now failing under the leadership of the President.

He referred to the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Tinubu as a “theatre of the absurd.”

The National Assembly was accused of endorsing the action, which Pastor Bakare said reflected its status as the “most spineless” in Nigeria’s history.

“Under your watch, Mr. President, the legislature has become a mere rubber stamp, endorsing every action you take without scrutiny,” Pastor Tunde Bakare said.

Senate suspension, political rascality, and state capture criticised

The recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan marked a direct attack on accountability and transparency.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had demanded accountability from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, a move that led to her suspension.

Pastor Tunde Bakare voiced strong disapproval and questioned the growing role of the Senate in political violence and corruption. He expressed disbelief at verbal altercations in the Senate, citing incidents involving Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi and former Education Minister Obi Ezekwesili, BusinessDay reported.

Critics described the Senate as an institution of political rascality instead of a platform for constructive discourse and leadership.

They accused the President of using his political influence to turn the National Assembly into a haven for legislative rascality.

Pastor Tunde Bakare said the National Assembly had become ineffective and unresponsive to the needs of Nigerians. “This National Assembly is the most ineffective in recent history, thanks to your political manipulation,” Pastor Tunde Bakare said.

Call for national redirection and leadership accountability

The President was accused of capturing the state for political ends in a way that Pastor Bakare said is counterproductive.

“This anti-climax can only lead to failure in the long run,” Pastor Tunde Bakare warned.

Pastor Bakare accused the President of capturing the state for political ends in a counterproductive manner. He said he decided to speak out because he wanted the President to succeed.

According to him, the administration, despite being in its first term, has drifted far from its promises to Nigerians.

Pastor Tunde Bakare urged the government to embrace humility, justice, and fairness to avoid further damage to the nation.

“The renewed hope promised by this administration collapsed from day one with the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the Naira, which plunged millions of Nigerians into extreme poverty,” Pastor Tunde Bakare added.

In his conclusion, he urged the President to reconsider the country’s current direction and prioritise the people’s welfare above all ambitions.

“It is time to change direction before it is too late,” Pastor Tunde Bakare said.

Photo Title: Pastor Tunde Bakare Delivers Easter State of the Nation Address
Photo Alt Text: Pastor Tunde Bakare speaks at his church’s Easter message