Politics

2023: How I Was Mocked Over APC’s N100m Nomination Form – Tunde Bakare Opens Up

Published

3 years ago

May 10, 2022.

Sylvester Ugwuanyi

Tunde Bakare Says Many People Were Willing To Pay For His Forms But Money For APC Nomination Came From His Account

Tunde Bakare Says Many People Were Willing To Pay For His Forms But Money For APC Nomination Came From His Account
Likens N100m Charged By APC For Forms To Going To The University

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Serving Overseer of The Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare has spoken up on the N100 million that the All Progressives Congress (APC) charged for its presidential interest forms.

While pointing out that there were so many people willing to pay for the forms on his behalf, he clarified that the N100 million paid for nomination and expression of interest forms was from his account.

Bakare, who purchased the forms last week and officially declared his presidential bid on Monday, said he didn’t expect the forms to cost more than N50 million but was quick to add that the price is part of efforts to make APC “formidable”.

Speaking when he featured on a Channels Television programme, he disclosed how a former Kaduna senator, who supposed he couldn’t afford the N100million price, derided him.

“There was a former senator from Kaduna state who said Bakare has gone quiet since N100 million is mentioned because he could not afford it. I don’t trade insults with people. I just did what I needed to do — spoke against — but had to comply until we make a difference,” the cleric said.

On the exorbitant cost of the APC forms, Bakare said, “there is a price to pay for everything. I was not part of the decision making process, but if I’m going to apply for anything and they say this is the way to go about it, the price has to be paid. It is like going to a school or university; you pay a fee.

“Do I consider that fee or cost very cheap? Not at all. Not in the least. Just as everything in life that is highly valued comes with a price, that was the price the party fixed and those who want to join will have to pay the same price.

“By the grace of God, we paid without having to borrow or beg. God Almighty, who had provided, is still providing and He will continue to provide. And it is not money thrown away; this is part of the investment in a party that needs resources to actually be a formidable party.

“I remember sharing with some people that in 2015, when the president contested the first time, the form was about N30 million. This time around, PDP fixed N40 million; I was expecting that the form would not be more than N50 million, but when they doubled the price, whatever is worth it because this is the time to step in and begin to make a difference. We had to comply by paying the price.”

The fiery preacher further disclosed that his interest in the presidency is based on personal conviction about his capability to serve Nigeria well if he is elected.

“Look at the price Christ paid. He left the whole of heaven and the glory of heaven to come to the earth to pay a huge price in order to save mankind. To birth a new nation, to serve in a way that will raise standards and at the same time make life more comfortable for others, you will have to go through pain.

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“Money is the easy thing to trade. Yes, by the grace of God, we paid. Don’t forget that there are so many people who are even willing to pay on our behalf and so many people will give towards it and have given towards it. But whatever was transferred to the party’s account came from my account,” said the presidential aspirant.

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