I warned against ‘Emilokan’ politics – Pastor Tunde Bakare

 

In a thought-provoking reflection, Pastor Tunde Bakare, the serving overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, revisited his prior cautionary message to Nigerians about the perils of what he termed "Emilokan" politics. The Yoruba phrase, signifying 'It's my turn,' gained prominence during President Bola Tinubu's 2023 election campaign. Bakare contended that the concept of Emilokan holds a latent tendency toward authoritarianism.

Addressing his congregation, Bakare recalled, "I vividly remember the warning I sounded to the Nigerian populace back in January 2023 in my discourse titled 'Bridging the gap between politics and governance.' I cautioned that the politics driven by entitlement, the 'emilokan' variant of politics, could give rise to a presidency with unchecked power, one that might veer towards autocracy and become intolerant of dissent."

Expressing his reservations about the proposed military intervention by ECOWAS in the Republic of Niger, Bakare remarked, "Nigeriens' local support for Nigeria is presently at an all-time low. Thus, embarking on warfare would prove counterproductive. While we unequivocally denounce coup d'états in West Africa, it's crucial for African leaders to engage in profound self-examination. We urge Nigeria to demonstrate strong leadership during this critical juncture. The central question remains whether President Tinubu possesses the moral leadership capacity, even within the confines of the nation."

Worth noting is Bakare's participation in the previous year's All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary, which ultimately saw the emergence of Tinubu as the party's flagbearer. This dynamic adds an additional layer of significance to Bakare's observations and reflections on the current political landscape.