Less than a week after the strike over removal of oil subsidy, the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), one of the civil society organizations that partnered with labour to fight the Federal Government may be heading for crisis.

The group yesterday dissociated itself from its Convener, Pastor Tunde Bakare, saying that the cleric’s views during the weeklong strike were his and not that of the SNG.
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Benedict Ezeagu and Public Relations Officer, Olabode Francis, the group regretted rumour in the media and government circle that SNG called for ‘regime change’ during protests against hike in fuel prices.

The group said it respects the rights of Bakare to express his political views within the ambit of the law but that whatever views he (Bakare) may had expressed on the fuel price hike controversy were his and had nothing to do with the SNG.

“Pastor Bakare was suspended as a member of SNG in June, 2010 when he tried to railroad the organization into partisan politics without the consent of its founding members and has not been re-admitted since then.
“So, it is very wrong and a disservice to SNG for the government, the media or any member of the public to insinuate or hold that the views of Pastor Tunde Bakare who is an opposition politician, a card-carrying/active member of CPC and the running mate to its presidential candidate are those of SNG,” it said.

It recalled that SNG and Lawyers of Conscience as harbingers and defenders of democracy led Nigerians to the streets in January 2010 to enforce constitutionalism by successfully demanding for the swearing-in of President Goodluck Jonathan as the acting president of Nigeria during the crisis that followed the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s sickness. The group also noted that while condemning the unwarranted harassment and murder of innocent Nigerians by Boko Haram and overzealous security agents during the anti-fuel hike protests, SNG re-affirms its solidarity with the people and their fundamental human rights.

“The SNG also laments the increasing deployment of religious bigotry, ethnic prejudices and partisan sentiments as instruments for resolving the National Question and therefore warns that such actions represent nothing but an invitation to and recipe for fratricidal war in the country, which is an ill-wind that blows no one any good. It is a threat to the corperate existence of the country, and a disservice to Africa and the impoverished Nigerians who may eventually be murdered if this brewing national turmoil is not immediately nipped in the bud,” the group said

pcicero:

Hmmmmm, why are they just coming out? My guess is they have succeeded in breaking their ranks. With the way this guys wrote this letter, 'e be like say water don enter mouth.'
Where were this 'authentic members' when Bakare was the rallying point of their group? I guess Yinka Odumakin too is no
longer a member of the SNG? I am a fan of the SNG's official Facebook page. So, why were Bakare's comments and positions during the strike being posted on the website of a group that he doesn't belong to? Smh

Kobojunkie:

^^Who does he need permission from to request that the regime be removed? I mean I am shocked that someone whose location says Los Angeles even makes such a declaration? Where you not here to see the many thousands match for the impeachment of Bush only some years ago? Who gave them the permission to do that? Wasn't it there right to free speech and all? 


Jeezzz  . . .

Kobojunkie:

^^Who does he need permission from to request that the regime be removed

Mogidi:

You're wrong to posit the above bolded. In democracy you can only be removed if the electorate says so, permission and request does not come into play here.

Mogidi:

You're wrong to posit the above bolded. In democracy you can only be removed if the electorate says so, permission and request does not come into play here.

oyewolejos:

Madam personal opinion of Bakare shouldn't be foisted on the SNG. He has the right to protest and even make pronouncement as an individual but don't use the name of the SNG for your parochial and political interest moreover his suspension from SNG still subsists.
He has the freedom of speech and we all saw how he used that freedom during the April poll to ruin the alliance. 

Kobojunkie:

Well, that is SNG problem now, not yours. You coming here to claim that he has no right to say what he said is what I am opposing. SNG is well known for backing out when the seat gets hot. The man made all these statements so many days ago, but they waited so many days later to distance themselves? Come on!!! I know you have a brain on you there.

Also, let SNG iron it out with him as always. I mean the group, honestly . . . it's like trying to get in between two lovers really . . . they have dropped him so many times and every single time they keep taking him back, only to turn around and complain again when he does exactly what he is known to do. ROFLMAO!!

Back to the issue questions. Where were you all when this same man called for impeachment of Yar adua and helped install Jonathan, even against the Constitution? Were you asking this same question back then? Cause the whole nation heard him call out numerous times for impeachment of the president. And he shouted all that from the SNG podium back then too. So, what the frell are you on about?

ceah:


Kobo, are you teling me that you believe this story. The real SNG has never for ones disown Bakare, those 2 guys possibly have their own SNG, anything that is not on The SNG Facebook page are basically lies, these are plots by The likes of beaf to have a situation of "Napoleon is always right" and "all Animals are equal but some are more equal than others", The real SNG is going back to Freedom Square, Gani park at ojota this Saturday for Victory Rally and it's still being convene by Bakare, Those 2 guys mentioned are probably just some embittered members that fall out of The Group,


Beaf escaped from Yaba, we will get him soon and take him back,

Kobojunkie:

Well, that is SNG problem now, not yours. You coming here to claim that he has no right to say what he said is what I am opposing. SNG is well known for backing out when the seat gets hot. The man made all these statements so many days ago, but they waited so many days later to distance themselves? Come on!!! I know you have a brain on you there.

Also, let SNG iron it out with him as always. I mean the group, honestly . . . it's like trying to get in between two lovers really . . . they have dropped him so many times and every single time they keep taking him back, only to turn around and complain again when he does exactly what he is known to do. ROFLMAO!!

Back to the issue questions. Where were you all when this same man called for impeachment of Yar adua and helped install Jonathan, even against the Constitution? Were you asking this same question back then? Cause the whole nation heard him call out numerous times for impeachment of the president. And he shouted all that from the SNG podium back then too. So, what the frell are you on about?

ceah:


Kobo, are you teling me that you believe this story. The real SNG has never for ones disown Bakare, those 2 guys possibly have their own SNG, anything that is not on The SNG Facebook page are basically lies, these are plots by The likes of beaf to have a situation of "Napoleon is always right" and "all Animals are equal but some are more equal than others", The real SNG is going back to Freedom Square, Gani park at ojota this Saturday for Victory Rally and it's still being convene by Bakare, Those 2 guys mentioned are probably just some embittered members that fall out of The Group,


Beaf escaped from Yaba, we will get him soon and take him back,  

[size=14pt]Presidential Election: Save Nigeria Group disowns Bakare[/size]
On April 14, 2011 · In Headlines
By Kingsley Omonobi

As the nation nears the zero hour to  the Presidential elections,  the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), which Pastor Tunde Bakare, the Vice Presidential Candidate for Congress for Progressive Change, co-founded, has distanced itself from his presidential bid.

Acting National Coordinator of the group, Benedict Ezeagu disclosed to newsmen in Abuja that Pastor Bakare did not inform the pressure group of his foray into politics even when confronted severally after his moves as the leader of the group became suspicious.

However, the Publicity Director of the Buhari/Bakare Campaign Organization, Yinka Odumakin could not be reached  for comments but the National Publicity Secretary of the CPC, Rotimi Fashakin dismissed the claims of the group saying their support is not solicited.

Recall that Pastor Bakare has come under condemnation for meeting with politicians before he was finally chosen as Vice-Presidential candidate.

Briefing newsmen after a meeting of the group on the on-going general election, Thursday, acting National Coordinator of the SNG, Benedict Ezeagu said the body had no support for Pastor Bakare’s ambition because it was not in the picture when he was making the moves despite persistent enquiry on some of his action before he picked up the presidential slot.

He said the smooth conduct of the National Assembly election despite some noticeable lapses was commendable pointing out that Professor Attahiru Jega deserved applause for the conduct which has offered a ray of hope that Nigerians can conduct credible, free and fair elections, which for some time have been elusive.

“The meeting therefore congratulates Nigerian electorates for coming out en masse to exercise their franchise and for conducting themselves peacefully and orderly”, Ezeagu said.

He congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for living up to his promise of giving Nigerians credible elections, which he showed through his disposition, attitude, and non-interference with the operations of the Jega led INEC that made success of the NASS election possible.

“The meeting therefore warns that Save Nigeria Group will no longer allow anti-democratic forces, those who prefer the sanctity of bullet/violence to the sanctity of ballot to exploit the current environment of freedom in the country to try to truncate the on-going democratic efforts.

“Finally, the meeting calls on all national stakeholders and the Nigerian masses to use all legitimate means to guard this democratic process and ensure that the remaining elections in the country are held as planned in a free, fair, peaceful and credible atmosphere”, he stated.

oyewolejos:

Bro i think u missed the point. The SNG didn't say they ain't protesting or going to Ojota but they are saying they aren't in support of call for regime change. Even Buhari is not calling for regime change during the subsidy removal protest talkless of a political rookie like Bakare.

Beaf:

Beaf is your problem?

Sadly, people like you will remain fools forever.
You willingly remain ignorant and ready to be used like toilet roll. Your type never opens a newspaper to read, or researches events in their own compounds; you will hail and dobale for the man the man that breaks through your window, purloins your womans sacred fruit, and rains hot slaps on your phucking bald head.

For your info, you mud brained dimwit; this is the second time the SNG is disowning your false prophet and raider of the weak and poor. Check the date on the article below, its from last year. No?
Actually click on the link and visit the page, it will help to unscrew your mind and stop phucking cretins like you mentioning "Beaf." I hate stup!d people mentioning my name, cos we have nothing in common. Seen?

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/04/presidential-polls-save-nigeria-group-disowns-bakare/

Aluta!
www.nairaland.com/attachments/180447_ROTFLMAO_gif3d0c775232c7f27cf80592785b9635b6

ceah:

Bro visit The Facebook page,  SNG just debunked The rumour, PTB remains SNG Convener. The guy mentioned in The article was never a member of SNG like i told you, so be careful and Wise while reading this so called newspapers and beaf cannot be trusted

http://www.facebook.com/savenigeriagroup

Message from SNG FB page:
Reports circulating about Pastor Bakare's 'suspension' from Save Nigeria Group are malicious and false. Mr. Benedict Ezeagu is NOT the National Coordinator of SNG, has never been a member of SNG, and thus cannot speak on behalf of SNG in public or private. Necessary steps are being taken to curb this impersonation.