Pastor Bakare Says He Never Asked President Buhari To Choose His Successor

The General Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, formerly known as Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has said that he never asked the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to choose his successor.

Pastor Bakare made this known in a short address on Sunday in his church.

Bakare said that the clarification became important following the controversy that trailed his nationwide address on January 5.

He said contrary to insinuation or misunderstanding that he asked Buhari to pick his successor, he believed firmly that accurate succession, in a democracy, could only be achieved through free and fair elections.

Bakare said: “Over the years, inaccurate succession has been the bane of institutional leadership in Nigeria. Decades after the selfless leadership of our founding fathers, the citizenry has remained disillusioned with the self-aggrandisement of politicians who lack the values of the founding fathers.

“In the South, these politicians are quick to wear the cap and glasses of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, but lack the mental capacity and foresight of the late sage. In the North, these politicians affiliate themselves with the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello, but lack the heart with which the Sardauna worked for the progress of his people. In the East, they associate themselves with the giant strides of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Michael Okpara, but their governance accomplishments are dwarfed compared to those of these heroes. These are signs of leadership succession failure.”

READ ALSO:

https://ekohotblog.com/2020/01/12/ogun-state-governor-advocates-support-for-families-of-slain-soldiers/

He said: “My use of the word ‘succession’ has drawn curious reactions from various quarters. Apparently, and without my participation, it has been interpreted as my asking Buhari to foist his choice on the nation in flagrant disregard of democratic principles. I neither did this nor did I insinuate at any point that Buhari should ‘pick’ or ‘choose’ his successor as some news outlets have conjured.

“Succession is an expansive term that does not focus on one position alone, mindful as I am that no individual can singlehandedly solve Nigeria’s problems. Instead, it focuses on the institution of systems of predictable progress, and the sustainable replacement of capable hands with capable hands across the entire system, whether through elections or appointments.”