Founder of Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, says President Bola Tinubu has tried his best for Nigeria. However, he believes those efforts may not be enough.
Bakare also said Nigerians have the right to decide whether Tinubu deserves another term. He urged voters to make their own choices ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The cleric spoke at Envoy Nation in Leicester, United Kingdom, on Sunday.
Bakare contested against Tinubu during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary in June 2022. He acknowledged that some of the President’s economic reforms were necessary.
“Nigerians have the right to change their leaders. They also have the right to affirm their leaders.
“It is up to them to decide what they want. As you lay your bed, so you will lie on it. Sometimes, the devil you know is better than the angel that is not tested yet. But I leave it to every man to do what he pleases,” he said.
Bakare questions politicians’ experience
Bakare acknowledged Tinubu’s political experience. However, he questioned whether experienced politicians had done enough to solve Nigeria’s problems.
He argued that the country needed leaders who could make sound decisions from the beginning.
Asked whether Nigeria would have fared better under his leadership, Bakare declined to make such a claim.
He said he would be careful about comparing himself with Tinubu.
“I would be very careful with my words. I do not think Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is an uninitiated politician. He has been tried and tested. He is a man of experience,” he said.
However, Bakare recalled his argument during the 2022 APC presidential primary.
“The difference that I emphasised in that campaign, especially at the Eagle Square primary of the APC is that we do not need men of experience anymore. Their experience has brought us into the disaster that we have found ourselves.
“You need geniuses who will do the first thing the first time and they will get it correct.”
He illustrated his point with the biblical account of Joshua commanding the sun and moon to stand still.
Bakare also urged Tinubu to surround himself with people who would tell him the truth.
Bakare defends Tinubu’s economic reforms
The cleric cautioned Nigerians against dismissing every policy introduced by the Tinubu administration.
He specifically mentioned petrol subsidy removal and naira devaluation. He said the President had made some difficult decisions.
Bakare acknowledged that the results might not have met Nigerians’ expectations.
“So, I won’t say if I had been the president it would not be like this because you don’t even know what awaits you until you get there,” he said.
He added:
“For me, Tinubu has tried his best. His best may not be good enough for Nigeria but that does not give right to any person to just rubbish what he did like the subsidy removal, naira devaluation and other reforms. There are some things he did alright and I hope he learns. If God feels his time is up, He will bring other people to power.”
Bakare recalls role in APC formation
Bakare also discussed his involvement in consultations before the APC was formed.
He recalled arranging a meeting involving Tinubu and prominent traditional rulers. Those present included the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
The meeting also involved the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, and former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
Bakare said he later stepped away from active politics. He wanted to concentrate on building Citadel Global Community Church.
However, he confirmed that he remains a registered APC member. He also said he had offered to support national development through private consultations with Tinubu.
