Gladness Gideon
Founder of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has stated there was no written agreement between him and the late former President Muhammadu Buhari regarding a succession plan for Nigeria’s presidency.
Bakare, who was Buhari’s running mate during the 2011 presidential election under the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), made the clarification during an interview with Channels Television on Monday. The duo lost that election, but Buhari eventually emerged as Nigeria’s president in 2015 and served two terms until 2023.
Amid growing speculation in the past about a possible succession arrangement, Bakare had publicly hinted at a presidential ambition, famously declaring in 2019 that he would be Nigeria’s 16th president, following Buhari, whom he referred to as the 15th. He also spoke of building a global political network and reiterated in 2018 that his political journey was far from over.
However, his 2022 bid for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket ended unsuccessfully, with former Lagos State governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerging as the party’s flag bearer.
Reflecting on the 2022 primaries, Bakare noted that Buhari did not favour any aspirant during the race and gave all contenders a level playing field. He disclosed that a night before the APC presidential primary, Buhari convened a meeting with all aspirants at the Presidential Villa.
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“There was no written pact between us,” Bakare said. “He is late. I will never say anything unfair about him. He did his best.”
Bakare recounted that Buhari told the aspirants: “I have allowed the governors to choose who will succeed them or to go for a second term if they are going for a second term. I am asking you today to allow me to also freely choose the person I desire to succeed me.”
The pastor said those present — including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, then Jigawa State Governor Mohammed Badaru, and former Science and Technology Minister Ogbonnaya Onu — agreed to Buhari’s request.
Bakare’s remarks come amid a wave of tributes following Buhari’s death on Sunday at age 82 in a London clinic. Tributes have poured in from political, religious, and traditional leaders across Nigeria and abroad, honouring the former president’s legacy.