The Catholic Bishop of Idah Diocese, Most Rev. Anthony Ademu Adaji, has strongly criticized the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asserting that Nigeria is drifting towards becoming a failed state.
Bishop Adaji made the remarks on Sunday during a service at Our Lady Mother of Mercy Catholic Church, Idah, as part of activities to mark his 60th birthday celebration.
“Nigeria is becoming a failed state,” Bishop Adaji declared. “In a state, people can no longer trust the government. Look at the current political arrangement. Governors control the states through their political parties, and in local government elections, no other party wins any seat. Yet, we still call it democracy. This is not democracy; it is failing, and things are only getting worse every day.”
He criticized the lack of political diversity, suggesting that elections are deliberately manipulated to maintain the dominance of ruling parties.
“You cannot convince me that in a state controlled by a single party, no other candidate from a different party is fit to win. It is a deliberate attempt by politicians to destroy democracy,” he added.
The Bishop also lamented the rising economic hardship across the nation, describing it as “self-inflicted.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s abundant resources should be enough to ensure that no child goes hungry. However, mismanagement of wealth, he argued, has placed the country in its current precarious situation.
“God has blessed Nigeria abundantly, but poor management of resources has brought us here. If nothing is done, things will only get worse,” Bishop Adaji warned.
He rated President Tinubu’s performance as poor, pointing to the removal of fuel subsidies and the skyrocketing cost of living as evidence that the government is impoverishing citizens.
“The rising prices of basic goods, with many Nigerians unable to afford a meal, are clear signs that this administration is not moving the country forward. We must speak the truth – this is not progress.”
He further criticized the government’s spending practices, calling for a reduction in the cost of governance.
“It is unacceptable that politicians receive billions of naira while ordinary Nigerians suffer and starve. If nothing changes, the country is heading towards disaster,” the cleric warned.
Bishop Adaji concluded by urging Nigerians to pray for unity and better leadership. “Things are deteriorating daily. We must pray and hope for a more united Nigeria,” he said.