Apostle Suleman blames Nigerians for economic woes, calls for reflection ahead of 2027 polls

The Senior Pastor of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has held no punches in addressing the root of Nigeria’s current economic struggles, pointing the finger squarely at citizens’ electoral decisions in 2023.

Speaking passionately at the “Recovery Conference 2025” in Bauchi State, Suleman reflected on the nation’s hardships with a mix of frustration and concern. The two-day event, held on Tuesday and Wednesday, brought together religious and political leaders, but it was the fiery remarks of the clergyman that stole the spotlight.

During a media briefing at the Government House, following a courtesy visit to Governor Bala Mohammed, Suleman didn’t shy away from holding Nigerians accountable for their choices. “What Nigerians are going through is partly what they deserve,” he said, with a tone that blended exasperation and urgency.

Suleman recalled the 2023 elections, during which he claims voices like his sounded the alarm about the need for better leadership. Instead, he lamented, citizens ignored the warnings and embraced a leader he described as having “no manifesto—just a sense of entitlement with his ‘it’s my turn’ mantra.”

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The remark was a direct jab at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s now-famous “Emilokan” declaration in Ogun State, which translates to “It’s my turn” in Yoruba.

The pastor’s criticism extended to the Tinubu administration’s handling of the nation’s resources, particularly the oil sector. “The oil sector has been plundered. In the next 10 to 15 years, I don’t think Nigerians will recover from the damage. Now, all we can do is pray,” Suleman said, his frustration palpable.

Beyond prayer, however, the clergyman called for introspection and proactive change. He urged Nigerians to carefully consider their voting choices in the next election, warning that unless the pain of their current struggles has resonated deeply, they risk repeating history.

Governor Bala Mohammed, who hosted Suleman, echoed the pastor’s sentiments. While commending Suleman’s spiritual leadership and his courage to speak truth to power, the governor criticized the Tinubu administration’s policies as being devoid of direction.

“Tinubu’s policies don’t have a clear vision and are taking us to the road to perdition and destruction,” Mohammed declared. He emphasized the need for reforms that serve the nation holistically, rather than piecemeal changes that disproportionately burden the poor.

While Mohammed maintained a respectful tone toward the president, he did not mince words about the consequences of poor governance. “I don’t have anything against the president, but these policies will destroy us if we’re not careful,” he said.

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