Popular Anambra-based cleric, Chukwuemeka ‘Odumeje’ Ohanaemere, has alleged that Nigerians who publicly support President Bola Tinubu and his administration have been “bribed”.

Odumeje made the allegation in a video circulating on social media on Thursday.

The controversial preacher also criticised Tinubu over his recent comments on hunger in Nigeria, accusing political leaders of prioritising their personal and family interests over the welfare of citizens.

According to him, public officials are only custodians of the country’s resources and must use them for the benefit of Nigerians.

He urged citizens to use the 2027 general elections to determine the future of the country and hold elected officials accountable.

The clergyman said: “Anyone you see singing praises for the current government is doing so because that person has been bribed if you are coming into government, whether you forced your way in or the people elected you.

“You are there to manage our resources, not your personal business or your family’s business. These are resources that belong to every Nigerian citizen. And yet you tell them they have been hungry.”

Odumeje further accused governors and senators of defending Tinubu’s statement that “there’s hunger before I was born”.

He said Nigerians would decide during the 2027 elections whether the country belongs to political leaders and their families or to all citizens.

He said: “In 2027, we shall decide if it’s you, governor or senator, whose family owns Nigeria, or whether all of us own Nigeria. We are no longer boys; we are fathers. Your President Tinubu confessed, before answering the question, that even before he was born, Nigeria had been living with hunger. To all the people supporting President Tinubu, thank God you are now seeing how you are selling our children’s future, all because of money.

“We know all of you, as a governor, as a senator. I know why you are there supporting this man: it is because of yourself, your family, and what you can gather and acquire. After your term, if you win again, you will continue. If you do not win again, you will carry the money you have already acquired for yourself and your children, and travel to another country, leaving behind the very people you called ‘Nigerians.’ That is one thing a president has nothing to offer his own country.”

The cleric maintained that elected leaders were expected to serve Nigerians rather than pursue personal interests.

He also said he appreciated politicians who spoke honestly about the country’s problems instead of shifting blame to opposition parties or previous administrations.

He added: “‘We are leaders; we are no longer boys; we are fathers. If you have nothing to offer the citizens of this country, then let us divide this thing we call a country. There are people whose resources you are managing.

“The resources the president of Nigeria manages do not belong to him; they belong to you and me. You are not leading animals; you are leading people,” said Odumeje.

Odumeje also faulted the Tinubu administration over its borrowing, demanding accountability for loans obtained by the Federal Government.

He warned that the debts being incurred in the name of Nigerians would ultimately affect the people and future generations.

“A person who is leading the people must know how to talk to the people. The money you borrow, you borrow in all our names. So, you must account for it, because that debt falls on our heads, and on the future of all our children.”