“Mansa Dali Kaba; Ye Pari Pa; Kun Faya Kun”: The power of speaking in tongues and Its impact on our people By Prince Dr Wumi Akintide

“Mansa Dali Kaba; Ye Pari Pa; Kun Faya Kun”: The power of speaking in tongues and Its impact on our people

Though I am a Christian by faith, I have always leaned towards independent thinking, guided by the conviction to call things as I see them, without fear or favour.

This outlook often reminds me of two powerful Yoruba podcasters on YouTube: Olayiwola Alaga of the Yoruba World Center, University of to truth.

The recent views expressed by these two podcasters on the arrogant and unruly behaviour of Wasiu Ayinde Marshal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja an incident now trending nationwide, illustrate my point perfectly.

I fully support the analysis and fair conclusions drawn by Olayiwola Alaga, as well as those of Alhaji Akewu Gba Gold, who, together with his two “Altar Men,” quote the Qur’an with an eloquence and mastery comparable to the Chief Imam of Kaolack—the second city of Senegal. In that city, the Chief Imam wields authority even greater than that of the nation’s President. It is to this Imam that many of our Nigerian leaders, past and present—including the late Muhammadu Buhari, Nasir El-Rufai, Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, and the “Irawo Osan to nba Agba l’Eru,” Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Emi Lo Kan fame—have often turned for spiritual refuge.

Whenever these leaders face obstacles in navigating Nigeria’s delicate and complex politics, Kaolack becomes their sanctuary.

Alhaji Akewu Gba Gold is, in my view, an exceptionally brilliant Muslim cleric. In his fearless commentary on Nigeria, he speaks truths unmatched by anyone I have encountered in more than a decade of researching and studying Nigerian politics.

This brings me to the mystery and power of speaking in tongues—or quoting the Qur’an in pure, undiluted Arabic. This has become a striking phenomenon in Nigeria, one that has captured my imagination as a researcher, historian, and publisher.

Something is happening in Nigeria that can no longer be ignored or brushed aside.

The current opposition coalition against Bola Ahmed Tinubu may well become the proverbial last straw that breaks the camel’s back for Nigeria as a united country—if care is not taken.

Yes, Tinubu has his flaws and shortcomings; no one can deny that.

But the million-dollar question we must all ask ourselves when we step into the polling booth in 2027 is this: Has he performed credibly enough to deserve re-election?

My answer to that rhetorical question is an emphatic yes—based on what Tinubu has thus far done to stabilise Nigeria’s economy and his courageous efforts to reform the status quo.

His work has been acknowledged by respected voices such as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Senator Shehu Sani, Professor Wole Soyinka, Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, and Lamido Sanusi, the 14th and 16th Emir of Kano. It has also been affirmed by both the IMF and the World Bank.

I rest my case.

Prince Dr. Wumi Akintide a public affairs commentator writes from Oyemekun Terrace New York City 16/08/2025