Nigeria Worse Off Under Tinubu – Former CAN President, Oritsejafor Declares

Former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has urged President Bola Tinubu not to seek re-election in 2027, arguing that his administration has failed to address the country’s mounting challenges and has fallen short of Nigerians’ expectations.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the respected cleric expressed deep concern over the state of the nation, saying many Nigerians are grappling with worsening economic hardship and growing uncertainty about the future.

According to Oritsejafor, the current administration has not demonstrated the level of leadership required to tackle the country’s pressing problems and should allow more capable individuals to take charge.

He lamented that rather than making progress, Nigeria appears to be moving in the opposite direction, with many citizens struggling to see tangible improvements in their daily lives.

“The country is not moving forward as expected,” he said, suggesting that the government’s policies and actions have done more harm than good.

Although he stopped short of explicitly calling for Tinubu’s resignation, Oritsejafor maintained that the President should conduct an honest assessment of his performance and refrain from seeking another term if he is unable to deliver meaningful change.

The former CAN president also voiced support for recent remarks by Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who suggested that Tinubu should consider stepping aside to allow more competent leadership to emerge.

Beyond his criticism of the administration, Oritsejafor raised concerns about the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process. Reflecting on recent victories recorded by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), he questioned whether elections in the country genuinely reflect the wishes of voters.

He argued that many Nigerians have lost confidence in the electoral system, believing that election outcomes are often predetermined and that their votes no longer carry significant weight.

Oritsejafor further stated that if given the opportunity to meet President Tinubu personally, he would candidly tell him that his administration has not performed satisfactorily and should either step aside, abandon plans for re-election, or identify individuals capable of steering the country towards meaningful progress.

He added that the church would continue to speak out on national issues and hold public office holders accountable, insisting that such engagement remains necessary in the interest of the Nigerian people.