Former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ayo Oritsejafor, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to seek a second term in office, claiming that his administration has fallen short of Nigerians’ expectations.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Oritsejafor expressed concern over the country’s current state, stating that many Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship and growing insecurity.
According to the cleric, the government has yet to demonstrate the level of leadership required to effectively tackle the nation’s pressing economic and security challenges.
He argued that leadership should be judged by its impact on citizens’ welfare and maintained that if an administration is unable to bring about meaningful progress, it should make way for individuals better equipped to move the country forward.
Although he stopped short of calling for the president’s resignation, Oritsejafor urged Tinubu to conduct an honest assessment of his administration’s performance and carefully reconsider any intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
His remarks have since sparked discussions among Nigerians, with supporters and critics offering differing views on the performance of the current administration and the country’s political future.
Oritsejafor also voiced support for recent remarks made by Peter Obi, who suggested that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should consider stepping aside in favour of leaders better positioned to address the country’s challenges.
Speaking further, the former CAN president raised concerns about Nigeria’s electoral system, questioning the credibility of some election outcomes and alleging that many citizens have lost confidence in the voting process.
According to him, a growing number of Nigerians believe that election results are often determined before votes are cast, rather than accurately reflecting the choices of the electorate.
Oritsejafor stressed that religious institutions have a duty to remain engaged in national discourse by speaking out on issues affecting citizens and holding leaders accountable for their actions and policies.
He added that if he were given the opportunity to meet President Tinubu face-to-face, he would candidly express his belief that the administration has not met expectations and should either refrain from seeking another term in office or support individuals capable of delivering meaningful change and national progress.
His comments have continued to generate debate among Nigerians, with supporters praising his frank assessment of the country's situation, while critics argue that evaluating an administration requires considering both its achievements and ongoing challenges.