Tunde Bakare, the overseer of The Citadel Global Community Church, has called on President Bola Tinubu to accept advice and implement a coordinated programme to address Nigeria’s escalating crises. Speaking in a state of the nation broadcast on Sunday in Lagos, Bakare criticized the government’s handling of the situation, emphasizing that Nigerians have prayed long enough, and further calls for prayer have now become “mere religious rituals.”

Bakare highlighted the urgency for Nigerian leaders to take practical, immediate steps to prevent the country from spiraling into a mafia state, especially amidst the rising incidents of killings and abductions in states like Plateau and Benue. He urged President Tinubu to confront reality with honesty and courage, warning that failing to do so could lead to social, economic, and political consequences fueled by the anger of the poor.

The cleric expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s response to previous advice he gave in January 2025, which he claimed had been ignored, resulting in what he described as a descent into tyranny and the abuse of power. He accused those in power of lacking the humility and character needed for effective leadership in this critical time, noting the recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.

Bakare called for psychological tests for politicians seeking elected office and urged for the establishment of a nationwide survival strategy to stabilize the economy and manage Nigeria’s debt profile. He proposed the creation of a Consolidated Value Investment and Development Fund (COVID Fund) to address the country’s economic challenges, stressing that the Fund should be independent of volatile factors like oil prices.

The cleric also emphasized the need for structural reforms aimed at geo-economic industrialization and fostering inclusive economic growth to build a more resilient economy.