Buhari not a Bigot, Extremist, Says Bakare, Recalls Him Exclaiming ‘Jesus Christ’ 

Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Citadel Global Community Church has recounted a personal moment with the late former President Muhammadu Buhari to counter claims that he was a religious fundamentalist.

Bakare, who was Buhari’s running mate in the 2011 presidential election under the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), recalled that during a campaign visit to Buhari’s home in Kaduna, the former president once unexpectedly shouted “Jesus Christ of Nazareth” after losing his balance.

“He staggered a bit and exclaimed, ‘Jesus Christ of Nazareth!’ I looked at him and said, ‘Sai Buhari!’” Bakare narrated, emphasizing that the incident showed Buhari was not the religious extremist many tried to portray him as.

Bakare’s comments come amid renewed reflections on Buhari’s life and leadership following his recent passing. He said the late president had deep respect for people of other faiths and should not be remembered through the lens of religious bias.