Speak out on rumours surrounding Osinbajo, Bakare tells presidency

Pastor Tunde Bakare, General Overseer of Lagos-based Dominion Hall, Citadel Global Community Church, on Sunday demanded that the presidency speak out on rumours surrounding Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The outspoken cleric, who was the running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2011 presidential election, made the demand on Sunday while delivering a sermon in Lagos.

The cleric was speaking against the background of reported strained relationship between the vice president and the cabal at the presidency, which has seen some of his powers and responsibilities whittled down lately.

He said there was a need for the presidency to speak up.

He said: “It is my considered opinion that all the rumour mills and things going around the Vice-President in this nation, the government must address this country and tell the plain truth about what is going on instead of letting people to continue to make guesses that are unprofitable for our nation or anybody.

“And if they don’t want to say anything, then let them not say but stop this nonsense that is going on. You have a moral responsibility to account for the mess that is going on if you don’t stop it.”

Continuing, Bakare claimed that he never begged to be Buhari’s running mate in 2011, insisting that no one could relegate him having “gained access” to the mountain.

“I didn’t apply to be running mate. I was minding my business when I was called. They gave me access into the mountain and you can’t check me out of the place. No”, he declared.

According to him, the Bible “is replete with examples of persons who were nowhere but God elevated them”, adding that characters like Joseph and David received accelerated promotion and ensured that they utilised the opportunity to the full.

The cleric compared that to the case of Osinbajo.

“I am not sure Osinbajo was a party man. I am not sure he was there when the APC was being formed. I moved the motion for the merger of the CPC and the ACN at the Eagle Square. He was not anywhere around there that day. In fact, I can tell you that he went to the Supreme Court to argue a case on that day when they were looking for him… one day I will tell you the story of what transpired that night.

“Until the kings of the mountain give you access, you cannot do anything on that mountain. But when they give you access, you must know how to carry yourself upon the mountain”, he said.