Former All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant and Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has delivered a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, warning that Nigeria is veering dangerously off course.
In his State of the Nation address on Sunday at his Lagos church, Bakare expressed deep concern over the growing power imbalance between the executive and legislative arms of government.
“Stop Playing God” – Bakare Warns Tinubu
Bakare directly addressed the president, accusing him of overreaching his influence and undermining Nigeria’s democracy.
“Mr. President, Nigeria is too delicate for this kind of politics,” he said.
“Please, stop playing God!”
He warned that the current political climate, which he described as “state capture,” is eroding democratic institutions. Referring to Tinubu’s 2023 campaign slogan “Emi lo kan” (It’s my turn), Bakare said:
“If this state capture was what you meant by emi lo kan, it is an anti-climax that can only be counterproductive in the end.”
Legislative Oversight Collapsing
The preacher criticized what he called the collapse of legislative oversight, accusing the 10th National Assembly of turning into a “rubber stamp” body.
“This National Assembly has, by its unconstitutional endorsement of the president’s abuse of power, proven to be the most spineless in our recent history.”
He referred to recent developments such as:
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The National Assembly’s approval of a state of emergency in Rivers State
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The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
These, Bakare said, are signs of a legislature that now functions as an extension of the executive.
“Through its actions and inactions, the National Assembly has, in effect, become the 48th member of the president’s cabinet.”
A Dangerous Political Trend
Bakare didn’t stop there. He also alleged that a federal cabinet minister is acting like a state governor in Rivers, enjoying unchecked power.
“A cabinet minister has, more or less, become a third-term state governor in Rivers State, pampered by the indulgences of the president,” he declared.
He urged President Tinubu to reflect on the dangers of unchecked power, quoting, “No man is wise enough nor good enough to be trusted with unlimited power.”
