Founder of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, on Wednesday, held a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos, where he reiterated his commitment to fostering national development and unity.
Addressing journalists after the closed-door session, Bakare described the meeting as part of his ongoing efforts to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s progress. The discussion, he revealed, centred on practical strategies for moving the country forward.
“It’s not just about expressing reservations,” Bakare stated. “It’s about how the country can go well. My personal vision is to see a nation that works in my lifetime.”
While withholding specific details of the proposals shared, Bakare emphasised the significance of engaging directly with leaders and respecting their discretion. “When you discuss with the person in charge, you leave it with him to do whatsoever he wills with what you have suggested,” he noted.
The cleric, who previously ran as a presidential aspirant, also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between Nigeria’s regions to ensure sustainable progress.
“I’d like to see Nigerians being their brother’s keeper,” he said. “I want 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.”
Bakare expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, noting that he was warmly received by President Tinubu.
The cleric had in April, during a state of the nation address at his church, called for urgent interventions to steer Nigeria away from what he described as a descent into tyranny and abuse of power.
He had criticised Tinubu’s actions, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, which he argued had plunged millions into poverty. Bakare also condemned the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Tinubu, and the National Assembly’s ratification of the measure.
The 70-year-old accused the administration of undermining democratic institutions, particularly the National Assembly, which he described as “the most spineless in Nigeria’s history.”
His visit to President Tinubu came as a surprise to many, given his outspoken critique of the current administration. Nevertheless, he reaffirmed his desire for the President to succeed, emphasising that his remarks were motivated by a commitment to the nation’s welfare.