Tunde Bakare Defends Buhari: “I Didn’t See Corruption in Him All the Years We Related”

Pastor Tunde Bakare, former presidential aspirant and longtime associate of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has stirred political conversation after publicly declaring that he never witnessed any act of corruption from Buhari during their years of close association.

Speaking during an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, Bakare stated:

“I didn’t see corruption in him (Buhari) in all the years that we related.”

The comment has since triggered a wave of reactions across social media and political circles, with some praising Bakare for standing by his convictions, while others accuse him of attempting to whitewash the widely criticized legacy of the former president.

Critics have pointed out what they describe as clear institutional failures during Buhari’s administration. Many referenced the numerous corruption scandals under his watch, including allegations involving top officials and agencies such as the NNPC, EFCC, and Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

They argue that while Buhari may have personally avoided corrupt acts, his failure to curb corruption among key members of his government contributed to widespread disillusionment with his administration. Others insist that while the administration had flaws, Buhari himself remained a man of integrity who failed mainly because of poor delegation and weak enforcement rather than personal greed.

Bakare’s statement adds to the ongoing reassessment of Buhari’s time in office since handing over to President Bola Tinubu in 2023. Though Buhari positioned himself as an anti-corruption crusader, especially during his 2015 campaign, many Nigerians believe the administration did not live up to expectations.

This isn’t the first time Bakare has defended Buhari. As his one-time running mate in the 2011 election under the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Bakare has often spoken of Buhari’s character, even while admitting to policy disagreements in later years. His latest comments are seen as both a personal testimony and a subtle pushback against efforts to wholly vilify Buhari’s legacy.

As public discourse around the past administration continues, Bakare’s statement may be remembered as one of the few outspoken endorsements of Buhari’s personal integrity, though not without controversy.