LAGOS, NIGERIA — A significant fracture has emerged within Nigeria’s religious leadership as Pastor Chris Okafor, General Overseer of the Grace Nation International (formerly Liberation City), issued a scathing public critique of Pastor Tunde Bakare, the Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church.
In a viral address that has sparked intense national debate, Okafor accused Bakare of “selective activism,” questioning his perceived silence regarding the current economic hardships facing Nigerians compared to his vocal opposition during previous administrations.
The Allegation of Hypocrisy
Central to Okafor’s criticism is Bakare’s leadership of the “Save Nigeria Group” in 2012, which spearheaded massive protests against the removal of fuel subsidies under the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.
“When Jonathan was president, Pastor Tunde Bakare led millions in protest,” Okafor stated. “I am surprised he is nowhere to be found now. Because of what they are benefiting from the government, they are not able to speak. Shame unto Pastor Tunde Bakare.”
The comments tap into a growing public sentiment demanding that high-profile religious figures maintain a consistent moral compass regardless of which political party holds power.
Bakare’s Position and “Motor Park Politics”
While Okafor’s remarks suggest a total withdrawal from the public sphere, Pastor Tunde Bakare has recently broken his silence with several “State of the Nation” broadcasts. In a notable address, Bakare criticized the current administration’s approach to governance, describing certain policies as “motor park politics” and warning that the country was drifting toward a crisis of confidence.
However, critics argue that Bakare’s current approach—favoring intellectual broadcasts and private consultations over the street-level activism he was once known for—represents a softening of his stance due to his long-standing personal relationship with President Bola Tinubu.
The Role of the Clergy in Governance
The public fallout between the two clerics has reignited a fierce debate over the intersection of faith and politics in Nigeria. Political analysts suggest that the “pulpit activism” seen in 2012 has largely shifted into a more fragmented landscape, where some leaders remain vocal critics while others opt for “quiet diplomacy” or total neutrality.
As inflation and the cost of living continue to pressure the Nigerian populace, the pressure on religious institutions to act as the “conscience of the nation” remains at an all-time high. Neither Pastor Bakare nor his representatives have issued a formal rebuttal to Okafor’s specific “shame” comments at the time of this report.
