Mum was the word when the founder of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare emerged from a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday as he was not forthcoming with the details of their discussions when cornered by journalists at the president’s Victoria Island residence in Lagos.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that President Tinubu had been in Lagos in Lagos since May 27 to attend the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS) commission some of his administration’s projects. He would also observe the Eid-el-Kabir prayers at the State House, Dodan Barracks before returning to Lagos.
The fiery preacher’s courtesy visit to the president may have surprised many in view of his recent unsavoury criticism of his administration in his state of the nation address about six weeks ago in which he cautioned him about “playing God”. Bakare warned that the administration was steering the country off course.
Keeping details of their discussion close to his chest, Pastor Bakare told curious journalists, “What transpired in my discussion with him, stays with him and with me. God guiding him and giving him wisdom will help this nation not to go down the drain, but to bounce back so that he can leave a mark that cannot be erased”.
The former vice-presidential candidate to General Muhammadu Buhari during that 2011 election who stated that he was well received by his host, however hinted that his discussion with the President focused on how Nigeria would work in his lifetime.
According to him, “Well, my visit to President Tinubu is about how the country will go well. My life, personal vision is to see a nation that works in my lifetime, and those things I’ve discussed with Mr. President. They are not hidden things, but I’ve learnt that when you discuss with the person in charge, you leave it to him to do whatever he wills with whatever you’ve suggested.
“I’ve had a private conversation with Mr. President, and I’m glad that he received me well. I trust that God will help our nation.
Expressing his wishes for Nigeria, positing that it was time for the country to take steps to achieve progress, Pastor Bakare said, “I’d like to see a peaceful nation; I’d like to see Nigerians be their brother’s keeper. I’d like to see good collaboration between the best of North and the best of the South to steer Nigeria in the best direction.
“I’d like to see predictable progress in our nation. We’ve danced around some subjects for too long a time; it is time to take concrete action”.