Crowns for Sale, Pulpits for Hire: How Nigeria’s Elite Betrayed the Masses – Otunba (Dr) Babatunde Olushola Senbanjo

By Otunba (Dr) Babatunde Olushola Senbanjo (BOS)

Nigeria is bleeding, yet the very individuals designated as our spiritual and cultural shields have, in the eyes of many Nigerians, joined forces with those accused of oppressing the people.

We are witnessing a disturbing spectacle in which revered Obas, Emirs, and prominent religious leaders – Bishops, Reverends and Chief Imams appear to have abandoned their sacred responsibilities. Instead of standing as champions for a struggling and increasingly impoverished population, some have turned their thrones and pulpits allegedly into platforms to promote President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

This is not leadership. At best, it is a deeply troubling betrayal of the Nigerian people.

Royal Sellouts: Desecrating the Stool for Political Crumbs

An Oba or an Emir is supposed to be a father to all citizens, not a hired praise-singer for a political party. It is a historical abomination for a monarch to witness crushing poverty, rising inflation and insecurity destroying his domain and still choose to endorse what many perceive as incompetent governance.

Competent leaders do not need to purchase royal validation; their records should speak for them.

By taking political sides and, in some cases, discouraging citizens from expressing dissent, such monarchs risk stripping themselves of the dignity and neutrality traditionally associated with their offices. They reduce ancient and sacred thrones to mere appendages of the ruling political establishment.

Political administrations will eventually come and go, but the damage caused to the integrity of traditional institutions by perceived political compromise could linger for generations.

They must stop behaving like political sycophants and return to their traditional role as fathers and unifying figures for their people.

Commercialised Faith: Clergymen Trading the Pulpit for Political Favour

Even more disturbing is the alleged conduct of some members of the clergy. Bishops, Reverends and Chief Imams across the country have been accused of accepting political inducements and subsequently mounting the pulpit to preach patience to congregations struggling with hardship.

When religious leaders become political mobilisers, they risk compromising the moral authority entrusted to them.

The role of a true spiritual leader is to speak truth to power, challenge injustice and defend the vulnerable, not to become an instrument for protecting those in power.

Turning houses of worship into political campaign platforms is a dangerous development.

You cannot serve both God and political interests. By pacifying the oppressed while shielding the powerful from accountability, religious leaders risk becoming participants in the very crisis they should be confronting.

The Judgment of God and History

Let this be a final and uncompromising warning to every compromised monarch and clergyman: retrace your steps before it is too late.

Your crowns and robes will not shield you from the consequences of abandoning the people you are meant to serve.

Those who choose personal enrichment and political favour while the masses struggle will ultimately have to answer to history and, for those who believe, to God.

The judgment of history can be brutal, and the judgment of God is beyond human manipulation.

Stay out of partisan politics. Stand with the people. Defend truth, justice and accountability or prepare to face the consequences of history.