• Highlights the struggles faced by citizens
As President Bola Tinubu commemorates his first three months in office, a prominent activist cleric, Bishop Seun Adeoye, has characterized this period as a time of significant hardship and suffering for the majority of Nigerians.
Bishop Adeoye, who leads the Sufficient Grace and Truth Ministries (SGTM) and serves as the Spokesman of the World Bishops’ Council (WBC) Africa, expressed his concerns through a statement issued in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.
The Pentecostal Bishop raised concerns about the prevailing state of affairs in the nation, emphasizing that Nigerians are grappling with severe difficulties, and the situation is rapidly becoming intolerable.
He remarked, “Today, August 29, marks the completion of three months since Tinubu’s assumption of office. However, during these three months, businesses have collapsed, unemployment has surged, hunger has gripped the land, and many individuals who seem alive are merely walking shadows.”
Bishop Adeoye continued by asserting that the current situation is deeply troubling for Nigerians.
He addressed President Tinubu directly, stating, “Mr. President, the reality is that the nation is facing tremendous hardship and suffering within these three months. This is gradually becoming unbearable. While you and your family are comfortably situated in the secure Aso Rock, the people surrounding you are influential individuals. They cannot fathom the hardships that the general populace endures. The streets are not smiling, sir. The atmosphere is filled with discontent.”
The Bishop further questioned whether the new administration had introduced any groundbreaking initiatives.
He pointed out, “Has this administration accomplished any novel feats that had not been achieved before? None. Our nation was almost dragged into conflict with Niger Republic, while terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers continue to hold sway within our own borders. Soldiers were brutally killed in Niger State, and prospective Youth Corpers were abducted in Zamfara.”
While acknowledging certain policy changes, such as the removal of fuel subsidies, Bishop Adeoye criticized the perceived inadequacy of palliative measures.
He noted, “The subsidies are gone, but the so-called palliatives are merely political declarations. Allocating N5 billion to a state with a population of 5 million amounts to just N1,000 per person. Nevertheless, the cost of essential commodities and transportation has soared astronomically, leaving the masses in distress.”
Bishop Adeoye also addressed the President’s rice distribution efforts, suggesting that they fall short of addressing the needs of the citizens. He urged for more concrete action to alleviate the economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
In his concluding remarks, Bishop Adeoye called for urgent action from the President, stating, “Please, take proactive measures and cease repetitive statements. These statements are becoming mundane. You made promises to repair Nigeria; now it’s time to fulfill them. The clock is ticking, and you have only a few months to act. Failure to do so will solidify your legacy as the leader of the worst government in Nigeria’s history.”
In closing, Bishop Adeoye encouraged Nigerians to continue praying for the nation and its leaders, expressing his belief that divine intervention would guide the country through its current troubles.