Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Citadel Global Community Church has refuted widespread claims that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari was a religious fundamentalist.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Monday, Bakare disclosed, “I thought he was a religious fundamentalist until I came close.”
Bakare, who was Buhari’s running mate in the 2011 presidential election under the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), recounted a personal encounter during the campaign.
“After the flag-off of our campaign in Kaduna, we rode together. On arrival at his home, he staggered and exclaimed, ‘Jesus Christ of Nazareth.’ I asked, ‘General, what is that?’ and he replied, ‘You don’t have the monopoly of Jesus Christ; I’m thanking God.’”
Bakare added that Buhari often surrounded himself with Christians, stating, “His bodyguards were all Christians. Even his driver of ten years asked me to pray with him. When I said I don’t pray Islamic prayers, he replied, ‘I’m a Christian, sir.’”
The former Nigerian leader passed away on Sunday in London at approximately 4:30 p.m. after a prolonged illness. His burial will hold on Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State, at 2 p.m., with a state funeral organised by a Federal Government committee sanctioned by President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu approved the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, to coordinate the state burial.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, the committee comprises key ministers and senior security officials, including those of Finance, Defence, Information, Works, Interior, FCT, Housing, Health (State), and Culture.
The Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, will serve as the secretariat of the committee.
“In honour of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, President Tinubu has directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to open condolence registers at their offices. A central condolence register for the diplomatic community and the general public will also be opened at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja,” the statement noted.
Further updates on funeral arrangements are expected in the coming days.
Earlier, the Federal Government declared Monday, July 15, a public holiday, as announced by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani.
