Pastor Tunde Bakare, the Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, expressed his refusal to acknowledge Bola Tinubu as his president, despite his forthcoming inauguration as the President of Nigeria.
During a webinar titled 'Building the New Nigeria: The Role of the Diaspora,' Bakare criticized the 2023 elections, claiming that the Independent National Electoral Commission mishandled the electoral process.
He stated his concerns during a Q&A session, which followed his speech on the Zoom program organized by the PTB4Nigeria In Diaspora Group. The event had over 200 participants and was closely monitored by our correspondent.
Bakare highlighted that the 2023 elections failed to meet acceptable standards.
When asked if he would be interested in serving as the Minister of Diaspora Engagements under the new government, he laughed and stated that he would convey the same message to President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he had met the previous week.
Bakare emphasized that while he occasionally referred to Buhari as the President of Nigeria, he would never recognize Tinubu as his president due to his perceived lack of integrity and incorruptibility.
The cleric clarified that he did not participate in the elections, thus no one could claim that he had lost. Reflecting on his involvement in the All Progressives Congress presidential primary in June 2022, where he received zero votes despite his N100 million nomination purchase, Bakare expressed pride in his actions and those who stood with him.
He acknowledged the importance of speaking truth to power and asserted that certain defeats held more significance than victories.
Regarding the possibility of becoming a minister in the upcoming government, Bakare stated that he would consider it under certain conditions. However, he emphasized that he was not desperate for the position and rejected previous offers. Bakare emphasized that his purpose in life extended beyond mere photo opportunities and handshakes with the president, aiming instead to bring benefit to even a single citizen.
Bola Tinubu is scheduled to be sworn in as the President of Nigeria on Monday, May 29.
During the transition, President Buhari handed him the transition report, and Tinubu promised to address the country's pressing issues, including security and power challenges, while assuring Nigerians that he would not disappoint them.
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