Respected cleric and former presidential aspirant, Pastor Tunde Bakare called for urgent and concrete national efforts to reposition Nigeria on a path of unity, progress, and prosperity, following a private meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters shortly after the meeting, Pastor Bakare emphasized that the country can no longer afford to delay critical reforms and must now prioritize purposeful collaboration and visionary leadership to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty and despair.
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“It’s not about just reservations. It’s about how the country will go well,” Pastor Bakare said. “My personal vision is to see a nation that works in my lifetime, and those things I’ve discussed with Mr President, they’re not hidden things, but 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 described his meeting with President Tinubu as cordial and meaningful, noting that he left the conversation with hope that Nigeria’s challenges are not beyond redemption if the right steps are taken.
“So I’ve had a private conversation with Mr President and I’m glad that he received me well and I trust that God will help our nation,” he added.
In a passionate appeal for national unity, Bakare, Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, urged Nigerians to rise above regional and ethnic divisions and work together for the collective good of the country.
“I’d like to see Nigerians being their brother’s keeper. I’d 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 stated.
Lamenting the prolonged inaction and policy paralysis that has hindered development across critical sectors, the fiery preacher warned that the time for vague rhetoric is over.
“We have danced around some subjects for too long a time; it’s time to take concrete action to ensure that the masses of our country do not live in abject poverty, that’s all,” he declared.
The meeting comes amid heightened public debate over Nigeria’s economic woes, rising insecurity, and growing disillusionment among the populace over the slow pace of reform.
Pastor Bakare’s message adds to the chorus of concern from civic and faith-based leaders urging the Tinubu administration to adopt a more inclusive and decisive governance approach.
Bakare, a well-known advocate for national rebirth and former running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2011 general elections, has continued to maintain his relevance in Nigeria’s socio-political discourse, often using his pulpit to challenge the conscience of the nation.
As Nigerians continue to hope for meaningful change, Pastor Bakare’s post-meeting remarks may be seen as a subtle nudge to the political leadership that the time to act is now — not just to preserve power, but to transform lives.
