The Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has publicly disclosed that he turned down an offer from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to serve as a cabinet minister because he considered himself too old for the demanding duties of public office.
Addressing a congregation on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Envoy Nation in Leicester, United Kingdom, the outspoken cleric and former presidential aspirant clarified his relationship with the current administration. Bakare explained that during his discussions with the President, he explicitly cited his advanced age as the primary reason for declining a seat in the Federal Executive Council, opting instead to offer guidance privately from the background.
Expanding on his decision, the cleric emphasized that his refusal to accept a formal government appointment does not diminish his dedication to national progress. Rather than taking up a official ministry, he pledged to maintain a private advisory relationship with the administration, promising to offer constructive, solution-driven critiques whenever he identifies governance flaws or policy missteps.
Describing his civic stance as a “propositional platform,” Bakare asserted that true nation-building requires offering actionable recommendations rather than engaging in partisan antagonism. The fiery preacher also put to rest persistent rumours regarding his political loyalties, firmly dismissing speculation of a defection to rival political movements.
Reaffirming his commitment to the ruling party, Bakare declared that he remains a full-fledged member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and intends to cast his vote for the party in upcoming elections, rejecting the practice of switching political affiliations for short-term gain. Recounting his exchange with the Nigerian leader, Bakare stated, “I told Tinubu I’m too old to be a minister, but I will help in the background in any way I think will help my country.
I have never been part of the opposition. I am a propositional platform; if I see something wrong, I will suggest a solution. I can’t change sides quickly by joining one party today and another tomorrow. I am a full member of APC, and I will vote when the time comes.”
This revelation provides long-sought clarity regarding Bakare’s visits to the State House in Abuja following President Tinubu’s inauguration, framing his stance as an effort to offer elder-statesman counsel without taking on the operational burden of a federal ministry.
