Speaking during his state of the nation address in Lagos, Bakare said elected representatives had abandoned their responsibilities at a time when citizens most needed strong leadership.
Tunde Bakare, the founder of the Citadel Global Community Church, has strongly criticized the National Assembly, accusing it of inaction as the United States Congress held a hearing on Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Speaking during his state of the nation address in Lagos, Bakare said elected representatives had abandoned their responsibilities at a time when citizens most needed strong leadership.
His comments followed the decision of United States President Donald Trump to redesignate Nigeria as a country of particular concern, as well as the congressional hearing held on November twenty about the rising insecurity in the country.
Bakare accused the national assembly of showing no initiative and allowing foreign lawmakers to lead conversations about the suffering of Nigerians.
“It is a shame on our national assembly that it took the United States Congress, not the representatives elected by Nigerians, to convene a hearing on the lived experiences of citizens suffering under insecurity, while those in Abuja were busy with politicking, posturing for political relevance, and defecting from one political party to another in their desperate manoeuvres to secure their seats ahead of the twenty twenty seven elections,” he said.
Bakare condemned Trump’s remarks about Nigeria, describing them as “the most despicable language ever used by a world leader” and referring to Nigeria as a “now disgraced country.”
He added that the government’s sudden “flurry of activity after Trump’s remarks” revealed a long standing lack of urgency.
The cleric accused political leaders of “burying their heads in the sand like ostriches, preoccupied with the politics of chaos and paying little attention to the work of governance.”
He said the ruling class had ignored the daily realities of ordinary Nigerians and paid “little attention to the real work of governance.” Bakare, a former presidential aspirant, said it was “a stain on the Nigerian government” that external pressure had been required before officials acted.
He lamented the surge in attacks and kidnappings across the country, insisting that “terrorists and bandits now dare the Nigerian state with impunity.” Bakare also urged President Bola Tinubu to issue a public apology to communities devastated by insecurity, saying that early steps taken by the government were not enough to rebuild trust.
While he welcomed some interventions, he warned that deeper structural reforms are needed to restore confidence. Bakare called for a victims and survivors register, a national apology within three months, and interim compensation, arguing that accountability is essential if Nigeria is to halt the violence and move towards genuine recovery.

1SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
LATEST POSTS
-
British woman, unborn baby die in Nigeria; family seeks help to bring bodies home

MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas A 40-year-old British woman who relocated to Nigeria to start a new life with her husband has died alongside her unborn baby after developing sepsis. Claire Chadwick, who was 37 weeks pregnant, reportedly suffered septic shock after her baby girl died in the womb. In a report by Daily Mail UK, Chadwick…
-
Fani-Kayode, Seyi Tinubu, three others receive senior counsel rank

Seyi Tinubu
-
2027: Atiku, Peter Obi have nothing to offer Nigerians — Wike

MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Wike said Obi lacked the capacity to provide alternative leadership, while Atiku failed to make meaningful contributions when he had the opportunity to serve in government. He made the remarks on Thursday during his monthly media chat in Port Harcourt, where he expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s political strength ahead of…








