As it is known that human beings are political animal, so it is expected of people to show their political biases for everybody to see as an individual not in the name of a body/organization or religious body.
I am compelled to put this paper together based on what I am seeing and the trend of things in political, religious and social activism circle.
Few days ago the founder of Save Nigeria Group (SNG) Pastor Tunde Bakare went to Aso Rock on the invitation of the President to get the group assessment of the GEJ’s performance in office. The meeting took place on 20th November, 2010 and it was confirmed that the group did a critic of his government and presented their position on the state of the nation. It was however not confirmed weather the group told Mr. President about the problem of financing the group and its activities before the president ordered his aid to give the group the sum of $50,000 (N7.45million) as alleged.
As a critical minded person, one of the things that baffles me most about this whole story is issue of the money offered by the president because we all know that if truly the president want to appreciate or bribe the group for a job well done it would have come immediately after he took over the mantle of leadership as the president. A school of taught believe that it is possible for the group (SNG) to make an underground statement concerning lack of appreciation of the President to the group since and the current financial status of the group before the president could make such move.
In a discussion with one of the major human right activists in the country yesterday about this issue, he confirmed that it is possible that Save Nigeria Group (SNG) made such request for the funding of the group expenses but felt insulted with the amount which is less than 10 million naira from the president. He explained further that could be the reason why the group returned the money. He further ask some cogent questions like “Where is Save Nigeria Group (SNG), getting its funding?” Is it from Bakare’s church or from Odumakin’s purse? “Why is that it took the group almost a week before they explain what transpired in Aso villa to everybody?”
Sources familiar with antics and tricks of Tunde Bakare says that with the kind of venom that the pastor proclaim to have possessed on the pulpit his association with people like Odumakin and Wole Shoyinka should be a taboo. It was discovered that Bakare’s political interest is fast affecting and conflicting his believe and preaching. His church sermon these days confuses his flock and no longer at WINNING SOULS but WINNING VOTERS by self righteousness and rationalizing how muslim ISHMAEL like muslim-“SINDIKU” Tunde Bakare is more successful and better primed for political leadership. Would it have mattered if Orubebe or Jonathan donated $50,000 to Tunde Bakare Latterain assembly as a tithe or donation? Does he reject donations and tithes from 419’s in his church?
Bakare should declare his political ambition, like his co-traveller Wole Shoyinka “still-Birth” Intention. With the recent development, one can now deduce that Pastor Tunde Bakare’s recent moves may not be unconnected with the current political merger that is about to happen with General Muhammadu Buhari’s party Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and Actions Congress of Nigeria (ACN); of which one of his church heavy donor/tithe payer, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu happened to be wife of the ACN leader.
Daily Trust Newspaper of Monday, 29th November 2010 published: Buhari, Tinubu ticket in the offing “Talks have reached an advanced stage between the Congress for Progressive Change [CPC] and the Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN] to produce General Muhammadu Buhari as presidential candidate of a joint CPC/ACN ticket for the 2011 elections with former Lagos State governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as his running mate, top sources in both parties told Daily Trust in Abuja at the weekend. The sources denied media reports that the talks had collapsed.”
Also, in today’s (2nd December, 2010) Nations Newspaper, the national Chairman of ACN, Chief Bisi Akande did not deny the arrangement “We have begun talks with the CPC and it is true that Muhammadu Buhari met with me and after the meeting we set up a committee from both leaders. I nominated some people, and he did same”.
With these development coupled with the financial intimacy between the wife of Tinubu, one can now see reason why Bakare was trying to paint and exaggerate ISMAEL success being a muslim because Buhari/Tinubu ticket will be a muslim-muslim ticket and one wonders if Pastor Bakare will turn his church to a mosque because of politics.
The credibility and statements of the SNG founder was also in the dark pot when he said at a public lecture that President Jonathan went to Ogun State to commission Compass Television and Compass Radio. I quickly call a friend in the state to authenticate the genuineness of the story but my friend later confirmed that the President commissioned Rainbow FM which was owned by North-West Communications –Chaired by Chief Alex Onabanjo, Yemoji water scheme, New NYSC Camp, New Dam Stadium etc . I was amazed at the level of insincerity of a highly respected pastor Tunde Bakare all in the name of money and politics.
As an independent minded Nigerian,I challenged our respected Pastor Tunde Bakare to come out boldly to point out where Compass TV and Radio was situated in Ogun State. I also challenge him to come out boldly to tell us where he is getting fund for his group (SNG).