Bakare Opens Up On Alleged Pact With Buhari

Pastor Tunde Bakare, leader of the Citadel Global Community Church, has made it clear that he never had any written agreement with the late former President Muhammadu Buhari regarding a plan for Nigeria’s presidential succession.

Bakare, who was Buhari’s running mate in the 2011 presidential election under the now-defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), spoke during a recent interview. Although the duo lost the 2011 race, Buhari later became Nigeria’s president in 2015 and served until 2023.

Over the years, many believed there may have been an understanding between Bakare and Buhari about future leadership. In 2019, Bakare even stated that he would become Nigeria’s 16th president, following Buhari as the 15th. He had spoken passionately about his political future, even claiming in 2018 that his political journey was not yet over.

However, Bakare’s attempt to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket in 2022 was unsuccessful, with Bola Ahmed Tinubu winning the party’s nomination.

Reflecting on that time, Bakare said Buhari did not endorse any specific candidate during the primaries but rather treated all aspirants fairly. He revealed that the night before the APC presidential primary, Buhari invited all the aspirants to a meeting at the Presidential Villa.

“There was no written pact between us,” Bakare stated. “He is late. I will never say anything unfair about him. He did his best.”

He also shared what Buhari told them during that meeting: “I have allowed the governors to choose who will succeed them or to go for a second term if they are going for a second term. I am asking you today to allow me to also freely choose the person I desire to succeed me.”

According to Bakare, those present at the meeting — including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, then Jigawa Governor Mohammed Badaru, and ex-Minister Ogbonnaya Onu — all agreed to the president’s request.

Bakare’s comments come after the passing of Muhammadu Buhari, who died on Sunday at the age of 82 in a hospital in London. His death has led to a flood of tributes from political, religious, and traditional leaders both in Nigeria and abroad, remembering his role and legacy in the country.
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