Pastor Tunde Bakare, Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Lagos on Sunday delivered a scathing assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration during his state of the nation address. Speaking at his Church premises in Ikeja, the clergyman and former vice-presidential candidate issued a blunt warning: “Stop playing God.”
Dr. Bakare emphasized that while he doesn’t wish for Tinubu’s failure, the current government has dangerously lost its way. “The current government is steering the polity adrift,” he stated. “It is time for this government to embrace humility.” The pastor clarified that his message was intended as constructive criticism rather than condemnation, urging the administration to correct course before it’s too late.
The fiery address took particular aim at the National Assembly, which Bakare described as a rubber stamp institution enabling executive overreach. “Thanks to your political machination, this National Assembly has become the most ineffective,” he said, addressing Tinubu directly. “By its unconstitutional endorsement of the President’s abuse of office, it is the most spineless in recent history.”
Bakare pointed to several concerning developments, including the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after she demanded transparency from Senate President Godswill Akpabio. He condemned what he called the “legislative rascality” in the chamber and criticized the political crisis in Rivers State, where Tinubu declared a state of emergency, labelling it a “theatre of the absurd” backed by a compliant legislature.
On economic policy, the pastor was equally critical, blaming Tinubu’s reforms for worsening Nigerians’ suffering. “The renewed hope agenda collapsed from day one,” he asserted. “These policies have plunged tens of millions into extreme poverty,” referring to the fuel subsidy removal and naira floating.
Despite his strong criticisms, Bakare insisted his intentions were constructive. “I am speaking because I do not want the President to fail,” he explained. “But this administration, still in its first term, has already drifted. Humility and fairness must prevail.”
