The General Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has refuted claims suggesting that he had a succession agreement with former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Monday, Bakare stated unequivocally that there was no formal arrangement or written understanding between him and Buhari concerning presidential succession.
“There was no written pact between us,” Bakare clarified. “He’s late. I will never say anything unfair about him. But there was a kind of look, ‘you’re one of those I would love to succeed me’ and he did his best.”
Buhari, who held office as Nigeria’s civilian president from 2015 to 2023 and earlier served as a military ruler between 1983 and 1985, was said to have shown some interest in Bakare as a possible successor during his tenure.
Bakare also recounted that ahead of the All Progressives Congress presidential primaries, Buhari summoned all presidential aspirants and encouraged them to make their decisions independently.
“I have allowed governors to choose those who will succeed them or go for a second term. I’m asking you today to freely choose the person I desire to succeed me,” Bakare quoted Buhari as saying.
