Somto BisinaIn a recent webinar, Pastor Tunde Bakare, the Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, made a bold statement, firmly asserting that he would never refer to President-elect Bola Tinubu as his president.
During the webinar titled “Building the New Nigeria: The Role of the Diaspora,” organized by the PTB4Nigeria In Diaspora Group, Bakare addressed several issues, including alleged malpractices during the 2023 elections and his reluctance to accept Tinubu’s presidency.
Expressing his concerns, Bakare criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), claiming that the electoral process was marred by irregularities. He voiced these concerns during a Question and Answer session following his speech, which was delivered via Zoom and monitored by participants, including our correspondent.
Bakare emphasized that the 2023 elections fell below acceptable standards, casting doubt on their integrity. When asked if he would be willing to serve in the new government as Minister of Diaspora Engagements, he chuckled and referred to a recent conversation he had with outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari.
Bakare recounted telling Buhari that he occasionally addressed him as the President of Nigeria but never as “My President.”
During the discussion, Bakare recounted a meeting he had with Buhari at the Glass House, where the President is currently residing due to ongoing renovations at the main residence.
He expressed his disappointment, stating, “Because of the circumstances of your flying into power on the wings of integrity and incorruptibility, but you’re now passing onto someone who does not have that value.” Bakare went on to affirm that, while he would address Tinubu as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during public lectures, he would never consider him his president.
The cleric further clarified that he did not actively participate in the elections, which meant he could not be declared a loser in the process. Although Bakare took part in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary election on June 14, 2022, where he received zero votes, he asserted that there was no shame in his decision.
He stated, “We spoke truth to power within seven minutes. I wasn’t there when they voted, I wasn’t there when they scored (me) zero, but we won that badge of zero and badge of honour.”
Pastor Tunde Bakare’s candid remarks highlight his discontent with the electoral process and his refusal to acknowledge Bola Tinubu as the incoming president.
These sentiments reflect the complex dynamics within Nigerian politics and underline the importance of transparency and integrity in governance. As Nigeria moves forward, it is crucial to address these concerns and work towards building a stronger democratic system that earns the trust and respect of all its citizens.
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