Politics of ‘one’s turn’ bad omen for Nigeria’s democracy, says Bakare

The Presiding Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has said politics of ‘one’s turn’ is bad omen for Nigeria’s democracy and should be rejected by the people.

The cleric spoke on Sunday in Lagos during a church programme tagged ‘State of the nation address’.

He urged the electorate to reject vote buyers and political merchants as the 2023 election approaches, adding that no good politician would direct other people to answer questions on his behalf.

In the address titled, ‘Bridging the gap between politics and governance’, Bakare said, “This ‘emi lo kan’ politics that insists on one’s turn, even if circumstances do not align, is bad.

“Politics of entitlement also manifests as perennial candidacy, not with the intent to serve, but to gratify long personal ambitions. It could also manifest as insistence on a given political office as a reward for what one considers a lifetime of sacrifice to the nation.

“Politicians with a sense of entitlement evade political debates and do not consider it imperative to communicate with the electorate.”

Apparently referring to the presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Bakare said, “The practitioners of good politics are open to interrogation and they do not avoid debates or evade difficult questions.

“Good politics give a sense of belonging to historically excluded or vulnerable groups, including women, young people, the elderly and persons living with disabilities.”

Though Bakare did not mention any presidential candidate in his speech, the APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been popular for his ‘Emi lo kan’ statement in Abeokuta where he averred that it was his turn to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

Similarly, Tinubu did not participate in political debates organised by Arise TV and other organisations.

In addition, Tinubu directed some bigwigs in his party to answer questions directed to him during his recent appearance at Chatham House.

Theeditorial.ng reports that Bakare has not participated in the APC electioneering campaign since he lost out to Tinubu during the primary last year amidst insinuation that he is still aggrieved.

Speaking on other candidates, Bakare said the candidacy of former vice president Atiku Abubakar of the PDP has brought to the fore “the unresolved North-South dimension of the national question.”

On the Labour Party’s candidate, Peter Obi, Bakare said the growing support he is receiving from the Christian community is noteworthy, adding that the “true political inclusion of the South East remains a strong imperative in our quest for nationhood.”