Pastor of Citadel Global Community Church, Tunde Bakare has said his dream of becoming Nigeria’s president is something that has been there right from his childhood adding however that at the appropriate time, the Lord will make it happen.
He also said he would be too glad to see an Igbo presidency but that the way politics is practiced in Nigeria may make it difficult
Bakare was responding to questions from Mr. Dele Momodu in a live chat on Facebook on February 2.
He said every Nigerian is entitled to his or her dream. “I only expressed my desire to be president. It is not inordinate ambition. I only desire to contribute my quota to the development of the nation. It’s not a do or die thing. I am sleeping well and waking up well. My prayer is that the best candidate will win in the coming election.”
He debunked insinuations that his desire to be president in 2023 was because he has a secret pact with President Mohammadu Buhari to succeed him.
Bakare said there was no time he discussed his ambition with President Buhari adding that those who know him will recall that he has been talking about wanting to be Nigeria’s president from his secondary school days.
He said, “I say this as a servant of God, Buhari and I have never discussed my desire to become president, not once. I said it in Lisabi Grammar School in 1973 valedictory service that I will be president, ask my classmates, they will tell you. In 1984 I said it to Pastor Enoch Adeboye. I said it to my wife in 1982 before I proposed to her. I saw it as a little boy that I will be president. I believe the country can be better than this. But I am not driven by inordinate ambition. I will continue to contribute my quota, I did it with Jonathan and I am doing it with Buhari. I will continue to do the bit I can.”
He also punctured claims that he has a pact with Governor Nasir El-Rufai to serve as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election.
He said, “We have not sat down to sign any pact or to even talk about it. Right now, what El-Rufai wants is to finish his term, go back to the university for his Ph.D. and rest having given 20 years of his life to governance in Nigeria. We have not sat down to say he will be president and I will be the vice or I will be the president and he will be the vice. Let them continue to fabricate, who knows maybe their wish will come to pass it will be a joy.”
Commenting on claims that Vice President Yemi Osibajo is being side-lined in government, he said, “I do not know if it is true VP is not allowed to perform. The constitution is clear on what the role of the VP is. When I was running mate to President Buhari on the CPC platform, I sat with him and asked him what my role would be because I did not want to be spare tyre vice, and he told me my role would be as prepared by the constitution and some other roles that may be assigned to me.
“I will like to hear from VP if he is not allowed to perform. I do not believe the story. If that is true let him say so. If he is not allowed to perform his constitutional role what is he still doing there?
On the chances of an Igbo presidency, Bakare says it would be tough for an Igbo man to be president with the kind of politics being practiced in Nigeria. “Democracy is a ruthless game of number. For as long as we practice politics the way we do and the majority will carry the vote, it will be difficult for anyone who does not have the number to become the president of Nigeria.
“My take is let us practice value-added politics so that any citizen that is competent will have it. The way Nigeria is structured is such that except there is a handshake between the north and the south a winner will not emerge. An Igbo president can emerge if my Igbo brothers come to mainstream politics because APGA as a party cannot win a presidential election in Nigeria. Every citizen has a right to aspire to the position. I will be too glad to see an Igbo presidency but they need to have an alliance that will produce victory at the polls.”