The former President of Nigeria, General Olusegun Obasanjo, once described Pastor Tunde Bakare, founder of Latter Rain Assembly (now Citadel Global Community Church), as a “prophet of doom.” At the time, many Nigerians condemned Obasanjo for what they considered an attack on a man of God.
Today, however, Nigeria appears inundated with “prophets of doom” who have commercialized the gospel. These are prophets who focus almost exclusively on politics, yet remain largely silent on insecurity, economic hardship, and other consequences of poor leadership in the country.
Why is it that elections are their primary focus? These self-acclaimed prophets often create tension with their pronouncements, sometimes inciting the public with controversial prophecies.
Why can’t Nigerian preachers leave partisan politics and focus on their spiritual mandate? Too often, we see individuals speaking when God has not spoken seeking the attention of politicians for financial gain and cheap popularity.
While the nation bleeds daily, many of these prophets are preoccupied with the 2027 general elections. Nigerians are going through immense hardship, yet prophetic attention seems disproportionately directed toward political outcomes.
There is also a noticeable contradiction in some of these prophecies, particularly regarding Abia State. Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti has repeatedly stated that he was divinely sent, and many Abians appear to believe him. His administration’s transformative strides have reinforced this perception. He is widely regarded as humble, unassuming, and an astute manager of human and material resources. Under his leadership, Abia State has gained renewed visibility and is increasingly becoming attractive to investors.
In all honesty, many Abians are grateful for the indefatigable and action-oriented leadership of Dr. Alex Otti, a consummate economist whose administration is leaving indelible infrastructural and administrative footprints.
His emergence as governor in 2023 marked what many described as the arrival of a financial iroko and political juggernaut. Within a relatively short time, his governance has brought a renewed sense of purpose and progress to the state.
Abia State is now seen as a place of growing opportunity, with relative peace and social stability. This progress further strengthens the belief among his supporters that Otti’s leadership is divinely inspired driven by zeal, patriotism, and a commitment to purposeful governance.
Indeed, the state has witnessed the translation of visionary ideas into tangible results under his administration. Dr. Otti is widely perceived as a focused strategist with impressive credentials, consistently delivering results.
Against this backdrop, suggestions that President Tinubu and the APC should avoid aligning with Otti and instead focus solely on winning Abia State highlight what many see as a disconnect among certain religious commentators.
Governor Otti enjoys significant grassroots support. Ultimately, he needs the backing of the people not pessimistic prophecies.
What clerics ought to do is pray for God’s will to prevail in the 2027 general elections at all levels. They should pray for the healing of Nigeria, for God to touch the hearts of leaders, and for the restoration of peace and stability.
Religious leaders must also speak truth to power boldly condemning bad leadership when necessary rather than pursuing political favor or financial incentives.
They should avoid distracting political leaders with speculative prophecies about 2027. Instead, they should focus on spiritual guidance, while the electorate fulfills its civic responsibility: to vote out non-performing leaders at all levels—president, governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, and state assemblies.
