The late former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, is being remembered by many as a man who quietly demonstrated religious tolerance during his lifetime. One of his long-time associates, Pastor Tunde Bakare, recently shared a personal encounter that painted a different picture from what many may have believed about the former leader.
Pastor Bakare, who once ran as Buhari’s running mate under the now-defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), recalled a surprising moment during their joint campaign in 2011. Speaking in a recent interview on Channels Television, the cleric reflected on what he described as an eye-opening experience that challenged his assumptions about Buhari’s religious beliefs.The Day
Buhari Said “Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
According to Bakare, the moment happened after a long day of political campaigning in Kaduna. Both men had just returned from the official campaign launch event, exhausted from the day’s activities. They were riding together in the same vehicle and, upon arrival, Buhari stepped out visibly tired, almost staggering from the stress of the day.
It was then, Bakare recounted, that Buhari unexpectedly exclaimed, “Jesus Christ of Nazareth! Shocked by what he had just heard, Bakare said he turned to the then-presidential candidate and asked, “Why would you say that?”
Buhari’s response, as Bakare explained, was not defensive. Instead, it was sharp and unapologetic — and it left a lasting impression on the pastor. While Bakare did not disclose the exact words Buhari used in reply, he made it clear that the answer revealed a deeper, more open-minded side of the late president.
From Misconception to Understanding
Bakare admitted that before this interaction, he had assumed Buhari was a rigid religious fundamentalist a belief shared by many Nigerians at the time. But getting close to him, and especially that moment in the campaign car, helped him realise Buhari’s views were far more nuanced than people thought.
“I thought I knew him,” Bakare said during the interview, “but that day, his response challenged me more than I had expected.”
A Reminder of Tolerance
This brief but revealing exchange between the two political allies highlights how private moments can sometimes contradict public perception. Buhari, often seen through a narrow lens of religious conservatism, surprised even those close to him with moments that pointed toward inclusiveness.
As Nigerians reflect on the legacy of the former president, Pastor Bakare’s story serves as a reminder that true character is often revealed not just in public speeches, but in quiet, personal moments — when no one expects a performance.
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