Oritsejafor: Those Who Branded Jonathan ‘Clueless’ Are Now in Power

Former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has said many individuals who criticised former President Goodluck Jonathan and described him as “clueless” are now occupying positions of authority in the country.

Oritsejafor spoke on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he reflected on the criticisms, protests and political opposition that characterised the Jonathan administration.

He said those who accused Jonathan of incompetence had prevented him from implementing some of the measures he considered necessary to address national challenges.

“Where are those people now? Are they not the same people today who are in power?” Oritsejafor asked.

“People who called him clueless, but they would not allow him to do the things he needed to do. They protested against him all over Lagos, especially, and across the country.”

According to the cleric, many of those who allegedly sponsored and supported protests against the Jonathan administration are now holding key positions in government.

“Now, the people who sponsored all those protests and did a lot of those things, many of them are the people in power today. So, now they have the clue, but look at where Nigeria is now,” he said.

Asked whether he regretted supporting Jonathan during the 2015 presidential election, Oritsejafor said he had no regrets.

“No, I don’t,” he stated.

The former CAN president also expressed concern over the state of the nation under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying the country’s economic and security challenges had worsened.

He advised the President to honestly assess his capacity to address Nigeria’s current difficulties rather than seek re-election.

“The government of Tinubu has done more harm to this nation than this nation has ever experienced,” Oritsejafor said.

While stopping short of calling for Tinubu’s resignation, the cleric urged the President not to pretend to have solutions where he lacked the capacity to deliver.

“I would not sit here categorically and tell him to resign. But what I would say to him is, don’t pretend to know what to do when you do not know what to do.

“Don’t pretend that you can take Nigeria out of where it is now when you know you cannot,” he said.

Oritsejafor also faulted the administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, arguing that many Nigerians had lost confidence in the government due to worsening economic hardship and insecurity.

“The average Nigerian today has no hope, except if you say you look up to God to give you hope,” he said.

He urged Tinubu not to consider seeking another term in office, saying the President should focus on addressing the country’s present challenges.

“Don’t begin to dream of coming back to continue this same mess,” he added.