By John Dike, Osogbo
The Acting Nuncio of the World Bishops Council (WBC) in Africa, Bishop Seun Adeoye has expressed grave concern over what he described as emerging signs of authoritarian tendencies, warning that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may be positioning himself for lifelong rule.
His words, “I strongly perceive that there are moves beyond the 2027 elections. What we are witnessing are attempts to alter the rules of the game to make one man Nigeria’s life president.”
Bishop Adeoye, who is the Founder of Sufficient Grace and Truth International Ministries and the International Communications Director of the Worldwide Anglican Church, disclosed these in a statement issued in Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Tuesday.
According to him, “We see the signs daily. The opposition is weakened, the judiciary and legislature appear compromised, while key institutions — including the military, paramilitary agencies, and the electoral umpire — seem to be under firm control.”
He said the alleged plans go beyond the pursuit of a second term and amount to a hidden lifetime agenda capable of destabilising the country.
He lamented the silence of civil society groups, asking, “Where are the so-called activists? They have been silenced and pushed aside.”
The bishop warned that propaganda machinery may soon be deployed to justify the agenda, citing narratives that may compare Nigeria to countries like China and Russia, where leadership change is infrequent.
He also alleged that spiritualists, marabouts, tribal leaders, and political loyalists could be mobilised to promote the idea that a single individual has a divine mandate to rule indefinitely.
“They will brand dissenters as enemies of the nation and insist that everyone must fall in line,” he warned.
But Bishop Adeoye cautioned that any plot capable of leading to national disintegration should be immediately abandoned, stressing that “nothing is hidden before the Almighty God.”
He urged President Tinubu to discard any such ambition, warning that it poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s unity and democratic survival.
On the approaching Christmas, he urged Christians in Nigeria to observe this year’s Yuletide with sobriety, reflection, and prayers, citing the worsening insecurity across the country.
The cleric said joyful celebrations should be tempered in memory of thousands of Nigerians killed by bandits and terrorists, and in solidarity with countless others still languishing in captivity.
According to him, Christians should use the season to pray for the nation and for a change of heart among perpetrators of violence.
“If Christ were physically present today, would He ask for the heads of His enemies?
“No. He would pray for them and call them to repentance from their devilish acts.”
