God didn’t ask me to run -Bakare
By NDUBUISI ORJI and OGE OKONKWO
Monday, February 07, 2011
•Bakare
Photo: Sun News Publishing
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As the 2011 presidential election gathers momentum, Senior Pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly and vice presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Pastor Tunde Bakare has said he never at any time said God told him to participate in the election. He said he was contesting the election based on a personal conviction and warned that no man should use the name of God in vain.

Bakare made the clarification while addressing members of   his congregation on his decision to get involved in partisan politics. He spoke during a service of the church yesterday in Lagos.
The preacher was nominated last week as the running mate of the former head of state and presidential candidate of the CPC, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) in the April 2011 election. His nomination and decision to go into politics had attracted mixed reactions across the country.

Rationalizing his decision to get involved in politics, Bakare said all it would take for evil to flourish in the land was for godly people to refuse to get involved in the political process. He said his involvement in politics would neither change his person nor his Christian faith. The Later Rain Assembly pastor stated that if anything, his decision to participate in the forthcoming presidential election would impact on the country positively.

According to him, “if Buhari wins,  we will make the difference. If he does not, Nigerian politics will not remain the same. We are going to influence the environment.”  Quoting copiously from various portions of the Holy Bible in a message entitled: A tale of  three priesthood, the fiery preacher said the bane of the nation had always been bad governance epitomised by corruption and other social vices.

Bakare said it was only when the righteous were in authority that the people could rejoice. But  that when the wicked were in authority, the people would groan. According to him, a wicked ruler in a country was like a bear on the prowl.  He wondered for how long Nigerians would continue to groan. Speaking further, he said a lot of people had expressed concern on how himself and General Buhari would get money to fund the campaign as both of them were known not to be billionaires.

The CPC vice presidential candidate said just as was the case during the election of President Barack Obama in America, they would be depending on the ordinary people to fund the campaign. He expressed optimism that the common people would be willing to support the campaign with the little they had because they would see a difference in the CPC team.

He said though the campaign had not started, he was already receiving support from Nigerians. According to him, about 600 Nigerians on the social networking site, facebook had volunteered to be part of the campaign to realize the Buhari/Bakare presidency. Bakare displayed before the congregation, a branded T. Shirt with the inscription ‘Buhari /Bakare 2011’, which, he said,  was  prepared by some individuals as part of their support to the CPC presidential ticket.

“Ordinary people will give us money because they will see the difference. By the Grace of God, we are going to raise standards. “The campaign has not started  and already they are volunteers.  We are going to dethrone money politics in Nigeria. We are not seeking power. We already have power.”

“It is a new day. The future is here. The hope that is shattered is returning to our country. This is going to be one of the greatest elections, because we are not depending on money bags but on God,” he declared.
He said though many had wondered whether it was possible for the shepherd of the church to shepherd the nation?

“A pastor can actually transit from leading a church to leading an entire country. Why die a local champion when you have the opportunity to reach an entire nation?” Bakare queried.  “Nigeria will be saved. Nigeria will be great in our time. It is time to pastor the nation. It is time to restore. Let’s build a great nation,” he urged.





http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2011/feb/07/national-07-02-2011-001.htm

As I have always said, this guy is just like all the other hungry and greedy guys out there. At least he has now come out and said so himself.

He will never get near the national treasury.

"I Just want my own share"? Journalists ehn! 

“A pastor can actually transit from leading a church to leading an entire country. Why die a local champion when you have the opportunity to reach an entire nation? ” Bakare queried.  “Nigeria will be saved. Nigeria will be great in our time. It is time to pastor the nation. It is time to restore. Let’s build a great nation,” he urged.

This should be what we ought all ponder as we cast our votes come April . . .  are we not best affecting CHANGE(POSITIVE) than continuing to leave our destiny in the hands of the very same that have run it in to the ground the last 12 years.

Am I a m0ron. . . or where does that quote appear in the article 

Searched with Ctrl+F, then skimmed through twice. Didn't see it.

@johndoe Guy sharap dia.what has Gej been doing all along with the eca almost dry and house of reps threatning to close the account? Hmm?

eku_bear:

Am I a m0ron. . . or where does that quote appear in the article 

Searched with Ctrl+F, then skimmed through twice. Didn't see it.

SAME HERE! I have been looking for the quote. The title is misleading.

[size=15pt]Johndeo, please show us where Bakare made such statement. We are waiting. . . . . . . . . Lair.[/size] 

jason123:

[size=13pt]Johndeo, please show us where Bakare made such statement. We are waiting. . . . . . . . . Lair.[/size] 

what do you expect

i mean sun newspaper, even sahara reporters are better sources of information than the sun

then poster,.,.,. SMH

@all the above haters

If God did not send him, then he is just like every other political jobber  - OUT FOR HIS POCKET


He will never get near the treasury.

Kobojunkie:

"I Just want my own share"? Journalists ehn!!!! 
This should be what we ought all ponder as we cast our votes come April . . .  are we not best affecting CHANGE(POSITIVE) than continuing to leave our destiny in the hands of the very same that have run it in to the ground the last 12 years.

I wonder why you keep posting against us when you are not even a Nigerian? Isn't Obama in trouble? Please leave us alone we don't need your irrational and unjustified hatred for GEJ.

@johndoe once again sharap ya foul mouth. What has GEJ who has the treasury on his chest done with it? Other than to milk it dry and clean?

johndoe200:

I wonder why you keep posting against us when you are not even a Nigerian? Isn't Obama in trouble? Please leave us alone we don't need your irrational and unjustified hatred for GEJ.

Are you really this silly a person? Who are you to decide what country I can comment or not comment on? If you do not know anything about me, why not mind your own life and business?

And yeah, answer the questions asked you already!

Johndoe is a dumbass.

You are making up FAKE quotes to disparage Bakare?

OK, then, well two can play that game. . .

"I did not r@pe the 7 year old girl, she consented willingly" - GEJ

johndoe200:

I wonder why you keep posting against us when you are not even a Nigerian? Isn't Obama in trouble? Please leave us alone we don't need your irrational and unjustified hatred for GEJ.

guy you are not making sense here

you made a false title and you are defending it

you see how silly you sound,.,. mumu

Kobojunkie:

Are you really this silly a person? Who are you to decide what country I can comment or not comment on? If you do not know anything about me, why not mind your own life and business?

And yeah, answer the questions asked you already!

Kobo, leave us alone

Mind your business in Obodo-oyinbo

Leave Nigeria alone to Nigerians!

alj harem:


guy you are not making sense here

you made a false title and you are defending it

you see how silly you sound,.,. mumu

He is not lying
That is his conclusion from what he read

You cant criticise him for whatever conclusion he comes up with;after all, editorializing is accepted even in mainstream journalism.

Kobojunkie:
Are you really this silly a person? Who are you to decide what country I can comment or not comment on? If you do not know anything about me, why not mind your own life and business?

You brought your irrational comments to this thread, I don't see why I should stand by while you continously try and mislead Nigerians.


@ eku_bear

Is that the best you can do?

alj harem:
guy you are not making sense here

you made a false title and you are defending it

you see how silly you sound,.,. mumu

How can the title be false? It is the title I gave the thread, and encapsulates the substance of the article.

That your powers of comprehension have been dimmed by years of humping cows and camels doesn't change that.

johndoe200:

You brought your irrational comments to this thread, I don't see why I should stand by while you continously try and mislead Nigerians.

Irrational Or too HONEST for your teeny brain there to wrap itself around? Again, make honesty your best policy this year and you might start to think more outside of that "Goodluck's arse I must kiss" box you continue to pretend you have to live in.

Kobojunkie:

Irrational Or too HONEST for your teeny brain there to wrap itself around? Again, make honesty your best policy this year and you might start to think more outside of that "Goodluck's arse I must kiss" box you continue to pretend you have to live in.

Leave us alone kobojunkie

Leave Nigeria alone

You are white, not a nigerian

Go to your country


Leave Nigeria alone

We hate you

Kobojunkie:

Irrational Or too HONEST for your teeny brain there to wrap itself around? Again, make honesty your best policy this year and you might start to think more outside of that "Goodluck's arse I must kiss" box you continue to pretend you have to live in.

The sad truth is that your brain is so addled that you would not understand why we Nigerians do what we do. That being said, please leave us to do what we want, we know That GEJ is the best for us at this time.

Since you don't have a vote what are you after I wonder?

Concern individuals will support and if we win, they will see the difference, eh? Meaning, settling the sponsors as usual. I de laugh

johndoe200:

The sad truth is that your brain is so addled that you would not understand why we Nigerians do what we do. That being said, please leave us to do what we want, we know That GEJ is the best for us at this time.

Since you don't have a vote what are you after I wonder?

i dont like whrn foreigners poke thier nose in our business

tell her to leave the phucc us alone

johndoe200:

The sad truth is that your brain is so addled that you would not understand why we Nigerians do what we do. That being said, please leave us to do what we want, we know That GEJ is the best for us at this time.

Since  you don't have a vote what are you after I wonder?

Sigh! I don't blame you for having the mindset you do when it comes to issues concerning your own future and the future of your children and your children's children, it all has to do with how you were raised really.

next! . . .

johndoe200:

@all the above haters

If God did not send him, then he is just like every other political jobber  - OUT FOR HIS POCKET


He will never get near the treasury.

folks like you will always exist i.e enemies of progress and confusionists. I can only hope , someday, you will see the shallowness of your obdurate support of those who , without doubt , have shown they do not have what it takes to move Nigeria forward. Your thinking and utterances , same as your co-travellers on Nairaland , would be mildly entertaining if some of us were totally ignorant of what obtains worldwide . It really is amusing , in a macabre way , how guys like you are wired mentally. You seem to have no problem with mediocre chancers experimenting with the future of Nigeria. This is why Nigerians remain an enigma to most non-Nigerians. It must be strange for some people to understand how so many ostensibly intelligent folks can jettison logic and blatantly ignore what is crystal clear to support what surely represents their own regression and damnation.

This Johndoe200 is a complete Dunce, a fool! Thank God you are not a journalist

@genbuhari3, why is it that when sm1 comment on his choice u go gaga?

Genbuhari3:

This Johndoe200 is a complete Dunce, a fool! Thank God you are not a journalist

Indeed. He is especially annoying because of how he parrots the notion , non-stop, that Nigerians who live outside Nigeria are somehow not Nigerian enough. That singularly odious opinion is an example of how Johndoe , like the man he supports,  is an unsophisticated local Champion. Borders are shrinking worldwide . Transfer of technology, knowledge and skills are increasing yet this chap wants to divisively preach animosity against Nigerians who may be very useful to Nigeria by virtue of their exposure  to some of the best practices and specialist knowledge available on Earth. Myopia and self-defeatism combined .

We lag behind in Africa because , aside corruption , we don't want to put in the effort to learn about globalisation , the workings of the world and the need to always shun sentimentality to bring the best hands on deck- even if they are outside Africa . The USA grants work Visas to thousands of brilliant scientist and IT gurus from Asia every single year. Someone who hates the Nigerians who live outside Nigeria , and wants them ignored , is already an unhelpful loser in our quest for a great and inclusive Nation where ability and hardwork determines your potentials to thrive ahead of anything else.

@Gbawe

Nice speech, but as usual you twist the truth. Let's try it this way:

You and the other supporters of the jihadist Buhari are enemies of progress and confusionists. I can only hope , someday, you will see the shallowness of your obdurate support of those who , without doubt , have shown they do not have what it takes to move Nigeria forward. Your thinking and utterances , same as your co-travellers on Nairaland , would be mildly entertaining if some of us were totally ignorant of what obtains worldwide . It really is amusing , in a macabre way , how guys like you are wired mentally. You seem to have no problem with mediocre chancers experimenting with the future of Nigeria. This is why Nigerians remain an enigma to most non-Nigerians. It must be strange for some people to understand how so many ostensibly intelligent folks can jettison logic and blatantly ignore what is crystal clear to support what surely represents their own regression and damnation.

Please join the winning team:

[size=14pt]Fresh Air 2011[/size]

ddc machine:

@genbuhari3, why is it that when sm1 comment on his choice u go gaga?

What do you expect from Jihadists and their supporters? They tried to fool the country by bringing a fake pastor as VP aspirant, only for him to tell the truth, that really he just wants his share.

Gbawe:

Indeed. He is especially annoying because of how he parrots the notion , non-stop, that Nigerians who live outside Nigeria are somehow not Nigerian enough.

Someone who hates the Nigerians who live outside Nigeria , and wants them ignored , is already an unhelpful loser in our quest for a great and inclusive Nation where ability and hardwork determines your potentials to thrive ahead of anything else.

First, please quote me correctly, Internet Nigerians are NOT NIGERIANS. I have said this on numerous occasions. We do not share the same objective reality.

From the rant, I take it that you are an Internet Nigerian. Sorry, no wonder you have such strange views, and are asking us to hand ourselves and the country to the losers you support. Such suicidal views are why elections are limited to the RESIDENTS of this country.

^^^^
I agree with you Internet Nigerians are fake Nigerians, some of them like madam Kobo arent even Nigerians

So what gives?

Gbawe uses the word "obdurate" in a sentence, and JohnDoe also uses it, pretending to know the meaning. Dude, we know, from the way you come across, that if not for Gbawe that word would NEVER have been a part of your vocabulary.

^^^

Even then, they both used it wrongly!