Apostle Johnson Suleman, the Senior Pastor of Omega Fire Ministries, has recently attributed Nigeria’s current economic hardships to the electorate’s choices during the 2023 elections. During the “Recovery Conference 2025” held in Bauchi State, Suleman criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, asserting that it lacks a clear manifesto and has mismanaged the oil sector.
Suleman stated, “What Nigerians are going through is partly what they deserve. Before the election, we cried out, we screamed, we yelled. The man who came into leadership had no manifesto—just a sense of entitlement with his ‘it’s my turn’ mantra.”
He further lamented the state of the nation’s oil industry, expressing concerns about its future recovery: “The oil sector has been plundered. In the next 10 to 15 years, I don’t think Nigerians will recover from the damage. Now, all we can do is pray.”
Suleman urged citizens to reflect on their electoral decisions ahead of the 2027 elections, suggesting that enduring current hardships might lead to more informed choices in the future. He warned, “If they’ve suffered enough by then, perhaps they’ll make better decisions.”
Echoing these sentiments, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed criticized President Tinubu’s policies, warning that they could lead the nation toward “perdition and destruction.” He emphasized the need for reforms with national impact and expressed his commitment to highlighting shortcomings in federal policies that disadvantage Nigerians.
Apostle Suleman is no stranger to controversy. In September 2024, he addressed criticisms directed at religious institutions, urging Nigerians to focus on addressing bad leadership and lawlessness in the country. He stated, “Church is not your problem, face your leaders,” emphasizing that the root of Nigeria’s problems isn’t religion but bad leadership and lawlessness.
Earlier, in August 2023, Suleman made headlines with a statement describing poor people as the most dangerous individuals in the world. He lamented that most attacks against him came from individuals facing economic hardships. He remarked, “The most dangerous people in this world are poor people. Poor people are dangerous. Poor people are ‘a set up’.”
Reactions to Apostle Suleman’s statement have been mixed on social media, with some agreeing that Nigeria’s current struggles are a direct consequence of past electoral choices and should serve as a lesson for future elections. However, others criticize his remarks as overly simplistic, arguing that factors such as electoral malpractices, limited access to unbiased information, and socio-economic pressures significantly impact voting decisions. They contend that blaming the electorate alone ignores the broader governance issues and systemic challenges that shape the nation’s political landscape.
His recent comments attributing the nation’s economic woes to the electorate’s choices have further intensified discussions about the role of religious leaders in political discourse and the extent to which they should influence public opinion.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, Suleman’s remarks serve as a call for introspection among the electorate. Whether his statements will influence future voting patterns remains to be seen, but they undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing national conversation about governance, accountability, and the power of the people’s vote.
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