Nigeria at 65: Lagos Cleric Lists 5 Major Things Leaders Need to Work on to Attain True Independence
- Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele said at 65, the most populated black country in the world, Nigeria, is yet to attain true independence
- Nigeria marked its 65th Independence anniversary on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, amidst current socio-economic challenges
- Primate Ayodele stated that Nigerian leaders need to do better as many citizens are not happy
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance in Nigeria.
Oke Afa, Lagos state - Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Lagos, has advised Nigerian leaders to work on five major things for the nation to experience what it means to be independent.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 1, signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, sent to Legit.ng, Ayodele asserted that Nigeria is 'sitting on a time bomb' due to the challenges in the country involving citizens.
Source: Twitter
Ayodele releases Independence Day message
He said:
“These are the five things we need to work on as we clock 65 we need to work insecurity, increase in production, utilisation of our mineral resources, agriculture and true federalism. It would be a fantastic independence.
“A lot of people are praying for separation; they have seen the government as without direction, there is tribal war, and I doubt if we are improving because we are not committed. Nigeria is in a very difficult independence moment, and we are sitting on a time bomb.”
Furthermore, the cleric expressed strong displeasure with the state of Nigeria’s independence, describing it as another means of bondage.
Primate Ayodele stated that the country has not become better and that people who fought for the nation’s independence have not been fully appreciated.
He stated that there are several differences in the country on different grounds, most especially politically, which have not allowed Nigeria to experience what it means to be independent.
Ayodele said:
“At 65, we are still not better; those who fought recklessly for our independence have not been fully appreciated. They need to be appreciated by Nigeria getting united, but as it stands, we are not yet fully independent because of our several differences as a nation, especially politically.
“Our independence is bondage for us; we are in a serious situation where there is no rest of mind and peace, for how long do we continue to pass through all of these?”
Source: Facebook
The preacher frowned at people ruling the country the way they want it, which includes not appreciating those who worked tirelessly for where the country is at the moment.
He said:
“It’s unfortunate that the country is being run just the way people want; leaders are not appreciated, and people who have worked tirelessly have not been allowed to gain ground.”
Balogun shares path forward for Nigeria
Meanwhile, Tope Balogun, the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in the 2023 election in Lagos state, spoke on how to effectively address Nigeria's unresolved electoral reform issues.
Balogun told Legit.ng:
"From my perception, I believe the reforms that have been made over the years had been better than the previous ones and can always be improved upon based on changing situations and realities. Though, what I have seen to be a major bane of their extraordinary successes is sabotage due to lack of political will power to really get the best out of the reforms. Hence, the first major reform will be the true independence of the electoral commission and the determination to go all out and follow all documented due process without undue compromises.
"Meanwhile, few additions can be made to the electioneering process to improve upon the existing system in its true form."
The opposition figure added:
"Electronic transmission of results from polling units in real time and public access to view platforms that shows what is input on the collation database so as to remove undue late collation of results and possible manipulation or alterations should be considered. I am aware INEC already did a pilot test of such result-viewing tools and its success only needed to be upscale. There might be claims of the challenges of technological gadgets which for me is not tenable because most of the voters registration were done through technology.
"Moreover, the event which is often held once in four years to determine those that manage both human and non human resources of the nation needs to be well invested in so the intent of adopting democracy as a way of choosing our leaders can be attained at its best merit.
"Finally, the election petition timeline should be faster so that governance would not be slowed down due to distractions or truncated due to ousting of inaugurated officials by the court."
Read more Primate Elijah Ayodele's messages:
- 2027 election: “He is creating enemies," Prophet Ayodele speaks out in fresh message to Tinubu
- "Very important prophecy to the world": Primate Ayodele releases warning, sends message to Tinubu
Ayodele releases prophecy on Jonathan
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Primate Ayodele warned the former president Goodluck Jonathan to be careful about the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if he wants to contest in the 2027 presidential election.
In a recent statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, sent to Legit.ng, Primate Ayodele stated that the PDP is a cursed party, adding that any politician who wants to contest under the party will have to do a lot of work.
He stated that there are other parties he can use as a platform to contest, which are allegedly better than the PDP, but if Jonathan must go with the PDP, He should be ready to do a lot of work and seek the face of God.
Source: Legit.ng
