On Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, the hallowed halls of The Citadel Global Community Church in Lagos reverberated with more than spiritual fervor. Pastor Tunde Bakare, a fiery cleric and former presidential aspirant, delivered a blistering “State of the Nation” address that sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape. Titled a sermon but wielding the weight of a manifesto, Bakare’s speech was a clarion call for reform, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of steering Nigeria toward tyranny, economic despair, and institutional collapse. For stakeholders—policymakers, business leaders, and citizens—this critique demands attention as a mirror to the nation’s challenges and a challenge to its leadership.
A Prophet’s Warning: Nigeria on the Brink
Bakare, no stranger to confronting power, painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s trajectory. He warned of a descent into a “mafia state,” where democratic institutions are eroded by what he termed “motor park politics”—a chaotic, authoritarian governance style consolidating power in Tinubu’s hands. “The executive and legislature are engaged in institutional immorality,” he declared, pointing to a National Assembly he branded “spineless” and a “rubber stamp” for the presidency.
His critique zeroed in on the Senate’s handling of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, suspended after demanding accountability from Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Bakare decried this as “political rascality,” arguing it exemplifies a legislature failing its oversight role. For stakeholders, this raises a red flag: a weakened legislative arm undermines checks and balances, risking unchecked executive power.
Economic Woes and a Cry for Empathy
Bakare’s speech was not just political—it was deeply human. He spotlighted Nigeria’s crippling economic crisis, with inflation soaring, food insecurity rampant, and a cost-of-living crisis pushing citizens to the edge. He referenced tragic stampedes in 2024, where desperate Nigerians died scrambling for aid, as evidence of a nation in distress. Policies like fuel subsidy removal and naira devaluation, he argued, have worsened the plight without transparent communication or relief measures.
“Leadership must feel the people’s pain,” Bakare urged, calling for empathy and pragmatic reforms. For business stakeholders, this is a stark reminder: economic stability is tied to social stability. A populace pushed to desperation could spark unrest, threatening investments and growth. Bakare’s plea for transparency in policymaking resonates as a call for governance that prioritizes trust and accountability.
A Biblical Rebuke: Humility Over Hubris
Drawing from the Easter narrative and the biblical story of Pharaoh and Joseph, Bakare implored Tinubu to embrace humility and seek wise counsel. “Don’t play God,” he warned, cautioning against the hubris of unchecked power. He criticized Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State as a “theater of the absurd,” accusing the National Assembly of endorsing it without scrutiny. This critique underscores a broader concern for stakeholders: arbitrary governance risks destabilizing Nigeria’s federal structure, with ripple effects on regional economies and political cohesion.
The Response: Deflection or Dialogue?
The Presidency, through Special Adviser Daniel Bwala, responded with measured diplomacy, calling Bakare’s speech “objective” and acknowledging his right to critique. Bwala noted that Bakare praised some government efforts and offered suggestions, framing Tinubu as committed to delivering promises. Yet, Rivers State’s administration struck a harsher tone, with spokesperson Hector Igbikiowubo dismissing Bakare’s remarks as divisive and fame-seeking. These contrasting responses highlight a polarized discourse, where critique is met with either engagement or deflection—dynamic stakeholders must navigate in assessing Nigeria’s political climate.
Public sentiment reflects this divide. Some hail Bakare as a truth-teller, amplifying his call for accountability; others urge him to stick to preaching or enter politics directly. This polarized reception underscores the delicate balance between spiritual leadership and political activism, a line Bakare has long walked as a founder of the Save Nigeria Group.
Why It Matters for Stakeholders
Bakare’s Easter address is more than a sermon—it’s a diagnostic of Nigeria’s ailments and a prescription for its survival. For policymakers, it’s a wake-up call to strengthen democratic institutions and prioritize transparent reforms. For business leaders, it’s a warning that economic hardship could fuel social unrest, threatening markets and stability. For citizens, it’s a rallying cry to demand accountability from those in power.
As Nigeria grapples with its challenges, Bakare’s voice—rooted in faith yet unafraid of power—catalyzes reflection. Will Tinubu’s administration heed his call for humility and reform, or will Nigeria’s slide toward “tyranny” continues? For stakeholders, the answer will shape the nation’s future—and their place in it.
A Prophet’s Warning: Nigeria on the Brink
Bakare, no stranger to confronting power, painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s trajectory. He warned of a descent into a “mafia state,” where democratic institutions are eroded by what he termed “motor park politics”—a chaotic, authoritarian governance style consolidating power in Tinubu’s hands. “The executive and legislature are engaged in institutional immorality,” he declared, pointing to a National Assembly he branded “spineless” and a “rubber stamp” for the presidency.
His critique zeroed in on the Senate’s handling of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, suspended after demanding accountability from Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Bakare decried this as “political rascality,” arguing it exemplifies a legislature failing its oversight role. For stakeholders, this raises a red flag: a weakened legislative arm undermines checks and balances, risking unchecked executive power.
Economic Woes and a Cry for Empathy
Bakare’s speech was not just political—it was deeply human. He spotlighted Nigeria’s crippling economic crisis, with inflation soaring, food insecurity rampant, and a cost-of-living crisis pushing citizens to the edge. He referenced tragic stampedes in 2024, where desperate Nigerians died scrambling for aid, as evidence of a nation in distress. Policies like fuel subsidy removal and naira devaluation, he argued, have worsened the plight without transparent communication or relief measures.
“Leadership must feel the people’s pain,” Bakare urged, calling for empathy and pragmatic reforms. For business stakeholders, this is a stark reminder: economic stability is tied to social stability. A populace pushed to desperation could spark unrest, threatening investments and growth. Bakare’s plea for transparency in policymaking resonates as a call for governance that prioritizes trust and accountability.
A Biblical Rebuke: Humility Over Hubris
Drawing from the Easter narrative and the biblical story of Pharaoh and Joseph, Bakare implored Tinubu to embrace humility and seek wise counsel. “Don’t play God,” he warned, cautioning against the hubris of unchecked power. He criticized Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State as a “theater of the absurd,” accusing the National Assembly of endorsing it without scrutiny. This critique underscores a broader concern for stakeholders: arbitrary governance risks destabilizing Nigeria’s federal structure, with ripple effects on regional economies and political cohesion.
The Response: Deflection or Dialogue?
The Presidency, through Special Adviser Daniel Bwala, responded with measured diplomacy, calling Bakare’s speech “objective” and acknowledging his right to critique. Bwala noted that Bakare praised some government efforts and offered suggestions, framing Tinubu as committed to delivering promises. Yet, Rivers State’s administration struck a harsher tone, with spokesperson Hector Igbikiowubo dismissing Bakare’s remarks as divisive and fame-seeking. These contrasting responses highlight a polarized discourse, where critique is met with either engagement or deflection—dynamic stakeholders must navigate in assessing Nigeria’s political climate.
Public sentiment reflects this divide. Some hail Bakare as a truth-teller, amplifying his call for accountability; others urge him to stick to preaching or enter politics directly. This polarized reception underscores the delicate balance between spiritual leadership and political activism, a line Bakare has long walked as a founder of the Save Nigeria Group.
Why It Matters for Stakeholders
Bakare’s Easter address is more than a sermon—it’s a diagnostic of Nigeria’s ailments and a prescription for its survival. For policymakers, it’s a wake-up call to strengthen democratic institutions and prioritize transparent reforms. For business leaders, it’s a warning that economic hardship could fuel social unrest, threatening markets and stability. For citizens, it’s a rallying cry to demand accountability from those in power.
As Nigeria grapples with its challenges, Bakare’s voice—rooted in faith yet unafraid of power—catalyzes reflection. Will Tinubu’s administration heed his call for humility and reform, or will Nigeria’s slide toward “tyranny” continues? For stakeholders, the answer will shape the nation’s future—and their place in it.
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