Pastor Tunde Bakare, the Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, addressed his congregation on Sunday, expressing his concerns about the rise of “Emilokan” politics and its tendency towards authoritarianism. “Emilokan,” a Yoruba saying meaning “It’s my turn,” gained prominence when President Bola Tinubu used it during his 2023 pre-election campaign.
Speaking during a State of the Nation broadcast in Lagos, Pastor Bakare cautioned against the “Emilokan” approach to politics, referring to it as an inclination towards authoritarianism. He highlighted the risk of an imperium presidency, one that leans towards dictatorship and becomes intolerant of dissent.
Pastor Bakare recalled his previous warning to Nigerians in January 2023 in which he addressed the need to bridge the gap between politics and governance. He emphasized that the politics of entitlement and the “Emilokan” mindset could lead to unfavorable outcomes.
The pastor’s remarks were prompted by recent events, including the arrest, detention, and prosecution of the suspended Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, as well as the detention of the former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) boss, Abdulrasheed Bawa, by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Bakare criticized the handling of these cases, raising concerns about professionalism, adherence to the rule of law, and equitable application of justice. He stated that the actions of the DSS and the handling of the Emefiele case have raised questions about due process and highlighted the president’s approach to the war against corruption.
While acknowledging that Emefiele should face prosecution if found guilty, Pastor Bakare urged against making him a scapegoat. He noted that if Emefiele’s actions were inappropriate, they likely occurred with presidential authorization, and therefore, the responsibility shouldn’t rest solely on him.