During a recent sermon at the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare expressed his prior warnings against a certain kind of politics known as "Emilokan." This Yoruba term translates to "It's my turn" and gained prominence when President Bola Tinubu used it during his 2023 pre-election campaign.
Bakare, speaking during a State of the Nation broadcast at the Lagos-based church, conveyed that the concept of "emilokan" could lead to authoritarian tendencies. His address, titled 'Vice, Virtue & Time: Three Things That Never Stand Still,' underlined his concern over the politics of entitlement and its potential consequences.
In his address, Bakare recalled his January 2023 warning to Nigerians regarding the dangers of "emilokan" politics. He cautioned that such a mindset might lead to an imperium presidency, characterized by dictatorial inclinations and intolerance toward dissent.
Bakare's comments were sparked 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 head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The DSS arrested Emefiele in June based on suspected new criminal infractions. The subsequent handling of Emefiele's case raised questions about professionalism, rule of law, and due process. The cleric also expressed concerns about the selective application of justice in the government's war against corruption.
Bakare highlighted that the handling of the Emefiele case sent a message to the international community about the current President's approach to corruption. He critiqued the administration for appearing to make some individuals scapegoats while major enemies of Nigeria seemingly remained untouched.
The pastor emphasized that if Emefiele is found guilty, he should face prosecution. While acknowledging potential mismanagement of monetary affairs, Bakare noted that Emefiele's actions could not have occurred without presidential authorization. This narrative underscores the complex interplay of politics, governance, and accountability in Nigeria.
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