The Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), Pastor Tunde Bakare, has paid glowing tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 82 in a London clinic.
Bakare, who ran alongside Buhari as his vice-presidential candidate during the 2011 general elections, described the late leader as a colossus who gave his all for Nigeria.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, the cleric reflected on their personal and political relationship, and dismissed reports that there was ever a secret agreement between them for power transition.
“There was no written pact between us,” Bakare stated. “He is late, I will never say anything unfair about him.”
Bakare also commended Buhari for providing a level playing field for aspirants within the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the buildup to the party’s presidential primaries.
He recalled a significant meeting that took place at the State House, where Buhari gathered all presidential hopefuls and sought their understanding.
“He did his best. One night before the primary, he invited all the presidential aspirants. We sat with him in the conference hall of the villa,” Bakare recounted.
“He said, ‘I have allowed the governors to choose who will succeed them, or to run again if they wish. I am asking you today to allow me also to freely choose the person I desire to succeed me.’”
According to Bakare, the request was well-received by key contenders at the time, including then Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Jigawa State Governor Mohammed Badaru, and former Minister of Science and Technology Ogbonnaya Onu.
The late President Muhammadu Buhari’s passing has drawn heartfelt tributes from across the country and beyond, with President Bola Tinubu among the many who have expressed condolences.
