Ex-PFN president urges Tinubu to reform judiciary, electoral system before 2027

Felix Omobude, former national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), has urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritise electoral and judicial reforms as preparations for the 2027 general election begin.

Omobude spoke at the weekend in Benin, Edo state, during an interview with journalists.

He said credible elections will only be achieved if the government carries out major reforms in key institutions.

“President Bola Tinubu will write his name in gold if he’s able to carry out reforms in some of our key institutions. Reforms that the Nigerian system needs for our electoral system to actually move forward and for the country generally to move forward,” he said.

“Institutions like the judiciary; you see, without respect for law and order, the country is going nowhere. The judiciary should truly be seen as independent and must act as such. The government at whatever level shouldn’t interfere with the activities of the judiciary.

“The police, EFCC and others, should also be reformed. These institutions should be able to stand on their own, no matter the government in power.”

Omobude said reforms in the judiciary, police and anti-graft agencies would strengthen the rule of law and make votes count.

He added that a government bold enough to carry out such changes would put Nigeria “on the path of greatness”.

‘Out-Of-School Children A Time Bomb’

The cleric also described the increasing number of out-of-school children as alarming, urging authorities to invest more in education.

“We must look holistically at our educational system; I believe that education from primary to at least Junior Secondary School (JSS 3), should be free for every citizen of this country. It should be free and compulsory.

“Parents who refuse to send their children to school under the free school system, should be prosecuted. Now, you look at our streets, children selling or begging during school hours.

“These out-of-school children are growing in their numbers, and if something is not urgently done to address it, it will boomerang,” he said.

Omobude described education as “a vital key to liberating the society”, stressing that “any investment made in that direction is the right investment”.

‘Leaders Must Serve The People’

He further charged political leaders to improve the living conditions of citizens and resist the temptation of self-service.

“Every leader must bear in mind that they are there (in office) for a reason. And they must make the best of it, not to serve themselves, but to serve God and the people that voted for them,” he said.

“Apart from political leaders, anyone in leadership positions whether in the church, in tradition, or in educational institutions, we have the opportunity to make a difference because we are all accountable to God who gave us the opportunity to serve.

“We must contribute to the progress, peace and prosperity of our nation. We cannot continue to be beggars. Our children are migrating all over the world. We can turn this nation around and make it a better place.”