Former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ayo Oritsejafor, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to seek re-election in 2027, alleging that the country has witnessed worsening economic hardship, insecurity and declining living conditions under the current administration.
Oritsejafor made the remarks during a televised interview in which he expressed concerns over the state of the nation and the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
The former CAN president described Nigeria as being in serious difficulty, claiming that the current administration had failed to provide effective solutions to the country's mounting problems.
"Nigeria is in a mess, big trouble. I fear for Nigeria. The government of Tinubu has done more harm to this nation than this nation has ever experienced," he said.
He also questioned the relevance of the administration's "Renewed Hope" agenda, arguing that many Nigerians no longer have confidence in the future because of prevailing economic realities.
"I hear people say Renewed Hope. You must have hope first before you renew it. The average Nigerian today has no hope, except if you say you look up to God to give you hope," Oritsejafor stated.
The cleric advised the President not to pursue a second term if he was unable to address the country's current challenges, insisting that leaders must be honest about their capacity to govern effectively.
"Don't pretend to know what to do when you don't know what to do. Don't pretend that you can take Nigeria out of where it is now when you know you can't, and begin to plan to come back," he said.
Oritsejafor said he decided to speak publicly because of the growing hardship being experienced by many Nigerians, noting that his pastoral duties bring him into regular contact with citizens struggling to cope with economic difficulties.
"It has got to a point where I feel I must begin to say something because I pastor people; they are human beings, they are Nigerians, and we must begin to hold people accountable for what's happening," he added.
The cleric further recalled his opposition to the election of former President Muhammadu Buhari, maintaining that he had anticipated some of the challenges that later emerged during Buhari's administration.
Oritsejafor's comments come amid ongoing national conversations over rising inflation, the increasing cost of living, insecurity and the effects of key economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira.
The Presidency had yet to react to Oritsejafor's remarks as of the time of filing this report.
