Politicians Feeding Fat, Asking Nigerians to Sacrifice – Bakare

By Kingnaafrika

8th August 2024

The Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, delivered a thought-provoking keynote address at the Wilson and Yinka Badejo Memorial Lecture 2024 held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos. In his speech, Bakare highlighted the stark contrast between Nigerian politicians and the citizens they call upon to sacrifice for the country.

Bakare minced no words: Nigerian politicians are not living lean or sacrificing like the rest of the citizens. While they ask ordinary Nigerians to endure economic hardship, they themselves lead extravagant lifestyles. The irony is glaring those who should set an example of sacrifice are often the ones indulging in excess.

The theme of Bakare’s address was “Cultivating a Culture of Dialogue: Nurturing Understanding in a Culturally and Socially Diverse Nation.” He emphasized the need for dialogue over confrontation to address the nation’s challenges. According to him:

Leaders must communicate transparently, demonstrating that they have nothing to hide. Trust is built through openness. An empathetic leader shares the burdens of the people. Bakare criticized politicians who “feed fat” while asking citizens to tighten their belts.

Bakare pointed out that hunger transcends religion, tribe, or political party. It unites people across divides. The recent #EndBadGovernance protests across Nigeria reflect citizens’ frustration with the status quo. Hunger, Bakare asserted, does not discriminate based on political affiliation.

The cleric also criticized the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to Bakare, they lack any substantial ideology. He cited the example of Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, who switched from APC to PDP without a fundamental shift in ideology.

In summary, Pastor Tunde Bakare’s words serve as a wake-up call for both politicians and citizens. Sacrifice should be a shared responsibility, not a one-sided burden. As Nigeria faces its challenges, dialogue, empathy, and transparency remain essential tools for progress.

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