Primate Elijah Ayodele of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church has declared that Nigeria has not achieved genuine independence, describing the current state as one of “stagnancy and hunger.” In a statement released on Sunday, October 4, through his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, and sent to Legit.ng, the cleric blamed prolonged hardship on poor leadership and a government he deemed unfit to govern.
Ayodele Criticizes Tinubu's Competence and Government's Approach
The Christian leader asserted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lacks the competence required for the presidency, making it impossible for citizens to enjoy true independence. He accused the administration of focusing on complaining rather than providing solutions to the nation's challenges.
“Tinubu isn't competent to be a president, so there is no way the people will enjoy independence,” Ayodele stated. “Our government complains a lot when they are supposed to provide solution. This independence is meant for rethink but the president isn't ready for it.”
Muslim-Muslim Ticket Described as Bondage, Restructuring as Only Path
The cleric specifically addressed the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket on which Tinubu ran, arguing that it reflects bondage rather than freedom. He emphasized that restructuring remains the only route to real independence, but the government is unwilling to engage in that necessary conversation.
“There is no freedom in whatever we are doing; a Muslim-Muslim ticket is no independence, it's bondage. The only way we can have independence is through restructuring, but the government isn't ready for that. In terms of infrastructure, health, economy, and other indices, it's simply bondage,” Ayodele explained.
Government Accused of Failing Nigerian Youths and Being Self-Serving
Primate Ayodele also criticized the federal government for lacking clear direction and failing the younger generation. He described the administration as disorganized and selfish, warning that prayers alone cannot rescue the country from its current predicament.
“The government is selfish and careless; it is not a government that is arranged or organised, and that is why we are still in the process of independence; we have not fully attained it,” he said. He added, “There is no amount of prayers that can help us if we have bad leadership; our independence has been commercialised and sabotaged. This is a country with no plans for the younger generation.”
The statement comes amid ongoing debates about Nigeria's future, with Ayodele's comments adding to the discourse surrounding the administration's performance and the country's direction.
