Pastor Tunde Bakare, Senior Pastor of the Citadel Global Community Church, formerly known as the Latter Rain Church, stated yesterday that he is not opposed to the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy but rather to the corruption in the system.
While acknowledging that the withdrawal of fuel subsidy was having a negative economic impact on Nigerians, Bakare asked President Bola Tinubu to kill corruption rather than Nigerians.
The furious televangelist also charged Tinubu with “waging a genuine fight against corruption, rising above vendetta, fostering reconciliation, and giving every Nigerian reason to believe in a united Nigeria.”
The preacher, who spoke at the church auditorium on Kudirat Abiola street, Ikeja, Lagos, on the topic ”Vice, Virtue, and Time: The Three Things That Will Never Stand Still,” also criticized ECOWAS’ proposed military involvement in the Niger Republic.
“What is further clear concerning our domestic challenges is that by imposing hardship on Nigerians without going after those corrupt individuals, corporations, and government officials who have plundered Nigeria over the years in the name of subsidy, the president has picked the wrong fight,” he said of the country’s harsh economy.
”The president stated in his address to the nation on Monday, July 31, 2023, that a large sum of money that ‘would have been better spent on public transportation, healthcare, schools, housing, and even national security…was being funnelled into the deep pockets and lavish bank accounts of a select group of individuals.
“The president also stated that the subsidy removal policy was implemented to prevent money from being wasted on smugglers and fraudsters.” As a result, we must address the following critical issues: Who are these chosen groups of people whose deep pockets our national treasury has been channelled into?
”Who are these smugglers and crooks who have defrauded our country in the guise of subsidies?
“Who are these faceless figures who have fed the fat at the expense of the poor?” Or are they all holy cows?
Mr. President, if you sincerely care about the welfare of the people, if you honestly want the poor to breathe, as you once stated, then kill corruption, not Nigerians.
“Fellow citizens, the Save Nigeria Group, SNG, mobilized Nigerians in January 2012 in Gani Fawehinmi Pack, Ojota, with the rallying cry ‘kill corruption, not Nigerians.’
This was our scream when we made it clear that we were fighting corruption in the system, not the withdrawal of gasoline subsidies. This was our struggle when, under threats to my life and family, I called out by name those individuals and corporate entities who had purportedly wrecked our nation, right there in Ojota and live on national and international television.
“Mr. President, given the complexities of the Nigerian economy, we are sceptical that your palliatives will be sufficient to mitigate the impact of your policies on Nigerian citizens.”
”What we do know is that on May 29, 2023, you took an oath to “be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to preserve, protect, and defend the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution.”
“Mr. President, while we acknowledge that our nation has transitioned from an administration that came to power on the ostensible wings of integrity and anti-corruption to one that cannot be described as such, the fact remains that you are today the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with enormous powers to combat corruption in all its hydra-headed forms.”
“Even if the allegations against you are true, you can have a road to Damascus experience and decide today to stand on the side of integrity and bring to justice the vested interests who have amassed wealth on the ruins of our nation.”
”You can decide today to shift the weight of change away from the Nigerian people and pursue the businesses and individuals who have pillaged our country. You can choose today to stand with the poor and oppose the plunderers.
”Mr. President, while you have announced some palliatives, let me remind you that they cannot address the underlying source of the problem.
“As a result, we demand that you address the underlying cause of the problem.” Remove the yoke from the poor’s neck, go after the thieves, reclaim the loot, and retool it for the benefit of Nigerians. To put it simply, Mr. President, kill corruption, not Nigerians.”
