On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received Pastor Tunde Bakare, the Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, in Lagos.
The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, was confirmed by Bayo Onanuga, a presidential aide, who shared a photograph of the President and the cleric on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
Following the private discussion, Pastor Bakare spoke briefly with journalists, revealing that the focus of their conversation was on the progress and future development of Nigeria. He emphasized that the dialogue was not centered on political reservations but on the broader vision of a functioning nation. “It’s not about just reservations. It’s about how the country will go well. My personal vision is to see a nation that works in my lifetime,” Bakare stated.
He further explained that when such discussions occur with the person in charge, it is customary to leave the suggestions with the leader for consideration and action. “I’ve learned that when you discuss with the person in charge, you leave it with him to do whatsoever he wills with what you have suggested,” he said.
Pastor Bakare expressed optimism about the outcome of the meeting, highlighting the President’s warm reception and his faith in divine guidance for Nigeria’s progress. “I’m glad that he received me well and I trust that God will help our nation,” he added.
The cleric also called for unity and collaboration among Nigeria’s diverse regions, stressing the importance of mutual support and collective effort to drive the country forward. “I’d like to see Nigerians being their brother’s keeper. I like 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,” he said.
He lamented the prolonged delays in addressing critical national issues, urging for concrete actions to alleviate poverty and ensure the country’s mercies are not wasted. “We have danced around some subjects for too long a time; it’s time to take concrete action to ensure that the mercies of our country do not live in abject poverty, that’s all,” Bakare concluded.
This visit comes in the wake of recent tensions between Pastor Bakare and the Nigerian Senate. Earlier this year, during his Easter State-of-the-Nation broadcast, Bakare criticized the 10th National Assembly, accusing President Tinubu of turning the legislature into “a haven for legislative rascality” and describing it as the “48th member” of the President’s cabinet. The Senate, through spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu, condemned the remarks, stating that Bakare had “crossed the line.”
Notably, Pastor Bakare had previously contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket against Bola Tinubu in 2022, adding a layer of political context to their recent meeting.
