President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday received Pastor Tunde Bakare, the Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, at his residence in Lagos.
The meeting was made public by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, who shared a photo of the President with Bakare on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
After the closed-door session, Pastor Bakare addressed journalists, revealing that their discussion centered on national development and the future of Nigeria.
“It’s not about just reservations. It’s about how the country will go well. My personal vision is to see a nation that works in my lifetime, and those things I’ve discussed with Mr President, they’re not hidden things, but I’ve learned that when you discuss with the person in charge, you leave it with him to do whatsoever he wills with what you have suggested,” Bakare stated.
He expressed optimism about the outcome of the meeting and his hope for a more united Nigeria.
“So I’ve had a private conversation with Mr President and I’m glad that he received me well and I trust that God will help our nation.”
Bakare further emphasized the importance of unity and regional cooperation in moving Nigeria forward.
“I’d like to see Nigerians being their brother’s keeper. I like to see good collaboration between the best of the north and the best of the south to steer Nigeria in the right direction. I’d like to see predictable progress in our nation.
“We have danced around some subjects for too long a time; it’s time to take concrete action to ensure that the mercies of our country do not live in abject poverty, that’s all,” he added.
The meeting comes shortly after Pastor Bakare faced criticism from the Senate over comments he made in his Easter State-of-the-Nation broadcast. In that address, he accused President Tinubu of turning the National Assembly into “a haven for legislative rascality,” referring to it as the “48th member” of the President’s cabinet.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu, spokesperson for the Senate, responded by saying the cleric had “crossed the line” with his remarks.
Bakare was among the aspirants who contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket against Tinubu in 2022.
