By John Umeh
In what many observers have described as a significant political and spiritual engagement, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received Pastor Tunde Bakare in a closed-door meeting in Lagos on Tuesday. The meeting, which took place at the President’s private residence in the city, has sparked conversations across political and religious circles in Nigeria, given the history and national influence of both figures.
Pastor Bakare, the Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church and a former vice-presidential candidate in the 2011 elections, arrived at Tinubu’s residence in the early afternoon. Though details of the meeting remain undisclosed, sources close to both camps hinted that national unity, governance, and moral leadership were key areas of discussion.
This is the first known high-profile meeting between the two since Tinubu assumed office as President in May 2023. The visit is notable, especially as Bakare has been a vocal critic of successive governments, including the current administration. In the past, he had challenged what he termed the “rot in Nigeria’s leadership structure,” and his stance on national issues has often positioned him as a principled but controversial voice in public discourse.
Observers are now speculating whether the meeting signals a softening of stance or a new era of collaboration between both men. Political analysts believe that such engagements could be part of a broader effort by President Tinubu to reach out to influential voices across the political and religious spectrum in his continued effort to build national consensus and restore public trust.
Although neither the presidency nor Pastor Bakare has released an official statement on the purpose of the visit, photos of the two leaders together have been widely circulated online, prompting reactions from supporters, critics, and the wider public.
The meeting comes at a critical time in Nigeria’s journey, with growing calls for reforms, improved security, economic stability, and stronger national cohesion. It remains to be seen what the outcome of this meeting will yield in practical terms, but it has undoubtedly reignited public interest in the evolving relationship between politics and spirituality in Nigeria.
