According to a report by Premium Times, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ayo Oritsejafor, has spoken about the state of the nation, saying he can no longer keep quiet as insecurity, poor governance and other challenges continue to affect Nigerians under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The founder and senior pastor of Word of Life Bible Church gave his assessment of the Tinubu-led government since it assumed office in 2023, stating that the country’s situation has worsened compared to the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Oritsejafor made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday night, where he expressed concerns over the current state of affairs in the country.
According to him, the increasing security challenges, economic difficulties and other national issues have reached a level where he believes citizens and leaders must be held accountable.
The former CAN president explained that, as a pastor, he has a responsibility to speak for the people he leads, adding that Nigerians deserve answers concerning the challenges facing the country.
Oritsejafor, who was known for supporting former President Goodluck Jonathan, also revisited his criticism of the Buhari administration, recalling that he had previously warned Nigerians against supporting Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said his concerns about the late Buhari government were linked to what he described as the administration’s handling of religious issues.
The cleric maintained that the fact that Professor Yemi Osinbajo served as vice president under Buhari did not change his perception of the government.
He Said, “I listened to a tape by one gentleman about something that happened in Jos, and some of the things he (Buhari) was saying in that tape were frightening to me.”
The former CAN leader further explained his interpretation of the term “jihadist,” saying he believed extremism could exist in different forms and was not limited to people carrying weapons.
He argued that actions or decisions that prevent other religions from having equal opportunities in governance could also be viewed as extreme.
He also questioned the role played by Osinbajo during Buhari’s tenure, asking what responsibilities the former vice president had and what impact he made while serving in the administration.
Oritsejafor remains a prominent figure in Nigeria’s religious and political discussions.
He previously served as president of both CAN and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), becoming one of the influential voices during the administrations of Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan.
During Jonathan’s presidency, he was an outspoken supporter who frequently commented on issues involving governance, security and national development.
However, he also faced public attention in 2014 after a private jet linked to him was seized in South Africa over allegations connected to the movement of cash.
His latest comments have added to ongoing discussions about insecurity, governance and the state of the nation under the current administration.