Aug 2, 2026

Bishop Oyedepo Blasts Tinubu: Stop Pretending, Act Now on Insecurity, Hardship

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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In a rare and strongly worded public intervention, Bishop David Oyedepo, Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel), has sharply criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and crushing economic hardship.

The cleric accused the government of “pretending” that it does not know what to do while citizens continue to suffer attacks, killings, and deepening poverty.

In a video address that has circulated widely online, Oyedepo expressed visible anger over persistent violence across the country.

He rejected any expectation that victims or their families should offer prayers of goodwill to those responsible for bloodshed.

“You can’t slaughter members of my family and expect me to pray for you. I will pray against you and your household,” the bishop declared, describing the situation as completely unacceptable.

Oyedepo said he had remained silent for a long time but could no longer hold back. “The government is pretending like they don’t know what to do.

I have been quiet for a long time, but the bubble is about to burst,” he stated.

He specifically named President Tinubu, saying the leader was “pretending like he doesn’t know what is happening” while communities face repeated attacks and citizens struggle under severe economic pressure.

The bishop’s remarks come at a time when many Nigerians report growing frustration with rising living costs, insecurity, kidnappings, and a sense that decisive action has been lacking.

Religious leaders have increasingly voiced concerns about the dual crises of insecurity and economic hardship.

Recent comments by other senior clerics, including Cardinal John Onaiyekan, have similarly highlighted public anxiety over governance, the economy, and security ahead of the 2027 elections.

Oyedepo’s intervention carries particular weight. As one of Nigeria’s most influential Pentecostal leaders with a large national and international following, his words often resonate beyond the pulpit.

By framing the issue in moral and human terms—the loss of innocent lives and the suffering of ordinary families—he has amplified a message already circulating among many citizens: that patience is wearing thin.

The government has previously maintained that it is working to address both insecurity and economic challenges through various reforms and security operations.

Officials have pointed to efforts aimed at stabilizing the economy and confronting armed groups.

Yet for many Nigerians living with the daily reality of high food prices, transportation costs, and fear of violence, those assurances have yet to translate into tangible relief.

Oyedepo’s warning that “the bubble is about to burst” underscores a broader sense of urgency. Continued attacks on communities, coupled with economic strain, risk deepening public distrust and anger.

The bishop called for urgent, decisive intervention, stressing that leaders must demonstrate the seriousness required to protect lives and restore confidence.

As Nigeria navigates these twin crises, voices from the pulpit and civil society continue to demand accountability and results.

Bishop Oyedepo’s latest comments add a powerful moral dimension to the national conversation, reminding those in power that silence from influential figures should not be mistaken for approval—and that the people they govern are watching closely.