Tunde Bakare accuses Tinubu of “playing God,” turning Nigeria into a “Mafia state”

Tunde Bakare accuses Tinubu of abuse of power, descending Nigeria into tyranny

By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor

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“While it is not in dispute that our institutions and Constitution are inadequate, it has become obvious that our biggest problems in this nation are the occupiers of these institutions and executors of the Constitution.

“The quality of leadership in Nigeria has become so repugnant that citizens must declare a state of emergency on governance, demanding that every aspiring public office holder undergo rigorous psychiatric evaluation before seeking election” – Bakare.

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Tunde Bakare, Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, on Sunday lashed out at Bola Tinubu, telling him stop “playing God” with the temporal power of a President, a mere human, who is tone deaf, but whose days on earth are limited like those of everyone else.

AI overview says “A ‘mafia state’ refers to a country where the government and organised crime are deeply intertwined, to the point where officials, police, and even the military are part of the criminal enterprise.

“This implies a system where state power is used to facilitate and protect criminal activities, often with the help of a corrupt elite.”

Bakare, who unsuccessfully contested against Tinubu in the presidential primary of the  All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022, said Tinubu is driving Nigeria off its course.

He was delivery a sermon in his ‘state of the nation’ address at his church in Lagos, where he counselled Tinubu to adopt a more humble approach to governance and to “stop playing God” if he wants to succeed.

“The current administration is steering the polity adrift, it is time for this government to embrace humility,” he insisted.

“It is clear that our so-called leaders are determined to turn Nigeria into a Mafia state. The two main contenders in the ongoing institutional immorality are the executive and the legislature.

“It’s often said that these two arms of government suffered the worst forms of arrest and development because they were the direct victims of the era.

“But after 26 years of uninterrupted democracy, one must ask how much longer before our institutions finally mature.

“While it is not in dispute that our institutions and Constitution are inadequate, it has become obvious that our biggest problems in this nation are the occupiers of these institutions and executors of the Constitution.

“The quality of leadership in Nigeria has become so repugnant that citizens must declare a state of emergency on governance, demanding that every aspiring public office holder undergo rigorous psychiatric evaluation before seeking election.”

Nigeria descending into tyranny, abuse of power under Tinubu, says Bakare

Bakare warned that Nigeria is descending into tyranny and abuse of power under Tinubu’s watch, with those in power determined to destabilise the country’s political institutions.

Unless pragmatic actions are taken, he stressed, the anger of the poor could lead to political, social and economic unrest, imploring Tinubu to embrace humility, seek wise counsel, and make decisions that would ensure Nigeria’s recovery.

“Dear Nigerians, the past few months, since that admonition in January, I’ve shown that those responsible for sharing the cause of our nation lack the humility and the character this moment demands of leaders.

“Instead, what we have seen since the beginning of the year is a descent into tyranny and a brazen abuse of power.

“Those entrusted with power appear determined to destabilise what is left of our political institutions, and have committed themselves to obliterating the guardrails of constitutional governance.”

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