Bakare floats new movement, shreds 1999 Constitution

•Tasks Nigerians on low voter turnout
•PRP faults Buhari’s loan request to fund 2022 budget

Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCG), Pastor Tunde Bakare, has announced the inauguration of Nigeria for Nigerians (N4N) movement, saying it is high time the citizens took back their nation.

Addressing a state of the nation, titled ‘The black box of Nigeria’s politics’ yesterday in Lagos, the fiery cleric noted that this could the last of such to be held in the ministry’s auditorium.

To build a great country that works for every citizen, he charged Nigerians on low voter turnout. Bakare lamented that the trend has defined Nigeria’s democratic experience despite the significant budgetary allocations for elections.

He said with true commitment to national reconciliation and integration in addition to enduring confidence in our “God-given destiny,” the most populous black nation could be rebuilt.

In March 2018, Bakare had vowed to float a pressure group, ‘New Nigeria Progressive Movement,’ for the nation’s restructuring.

He had said: “We will be going to every nook and cranny with our agenda and message. We have only three points on our agenda – restructuring, restructuring and restructuring.

“Therefore, our Distinct Nationhood Agenda (DNA) is simple. It is RUN – Restructuring For United Nigeria –this is what I’m set to advance.”

He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “tear down” the 1999 Constitution, describing law book as the country’s “glorified death certificate.”

The cleric traced the nation’s socioeconomic and political challenges to a faulty political foundation, following the destruction of its original political structure by the military.

Bakare argued that the ethnic, religious and secessionist agitations in the East, West and North were indications that Nigeria was in dire need of restructuring.

According to him, where the next President comes from is not of utmost importance. He went on: “I am fully persuaded that the 1999 Constitution is nothing more than a glorified death certificate.

“Mr. President, stop passing the buck to the National Assembly. Tear down this inhibitive concoction of a Constitution. Tear it down so that we can build a nation.”

The religious leader lamented that those insisting on the 2023 elections before restructuring, “are putting the cart before horse.”

He advised President Muhammadu Buhari that unless he restructures the country before leaving office, “history will recall that you failed.”

IN another development, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), at the weekend, faulted the President’s insatiable borrowing quest, especially the new move to secure over N6 trillion to fund the 2022 budget deficit.

Its National Chairman, Dr. Falalu Bello contended that the continued borrowing in the face dipping earnings was akin to mortgaging Nigeria’s future.

He told reporters in Abuja that the trend could gradually drag the nation and future generations into perpetual servitude.