PASTOR and founder of Latter Rain Assembly in Lagos, Pastor Tunde Bakare, on Sunday, said former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, would be told some home truth in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.Bakare said this was necessary before the nation collapses on him (OBJ), accusing him of being responsible for the numerous problems Nigeria is passing through now.
The cleric, who spoke about the lofty dreams of the country’s founding fathers, as well as his growing up and personal dreams for same Nigeria, but which had become unattainable due to antics of some cabals, strongly canvassed that a transition arrangement be put in place, stressing that holding election in 2015 was not feasible because of Boko Haram insurgency.
Bakare said this while speaking with newsmen, shortly after delivering a speech, entitled: “The Nigeria of My Dream” at a well attended church service to celebrate his 60th birthday.
Former governor of Ogun State, Chief Gbenga Daniel, was among the dignitaries that attended the service, which took place at the Latter Rain Assembly in Ogba, Lagos.
The pastor, who said he would be a keynote speaker at the 176th anniversary of International Student Day, courtesy of Ogun State government, said: “He who wants to hear, let him hear. I am going to drum what needs to be drummed. I think Obasanjo needs to hear some things before the house collapses on him, because he is responsible for the problems we face now.”
The event, holding at the Cultural Centre, is expected to be attended by dignitaries, including the former head of state, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, who is also a presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Professor Pat Utomi, among others.
Speaking further, Pastor Bakare, who is also the convener of Save Nigeria Group (SNG), while expressing fears about the possibility of holding 2015 general election, contended that it was better that the country took care of 2014 before talking about 2015.
According to him, there is no wisdom holding an election without dealing with the fundamental problems of the country, suggesting that what should be of concern now should be how to put in place a transition government, with a mandate of a maximum of two years, during which it would address the problems confronting the country currently.
Bakare, who insisted that the current security challenges in the country did not support holding a nationwide poll in 2015, declared that “it appears we are putting the cart before the horse. With the situation in the country, I do not think our primary concern should be 2015 elections.
“But you cannot win with politicians. If you ask this government to please gather people around and let us have an interim arrangement, they would be shouting elongation. If we go to elections, there would be trouble. So, I think some people who are capable and have integrity and character may have to be summoned to say, let us sit down and think of the way forward
“We need a transition government and the time frame should be two years, maximum. We need it like yesterday and believe me, there would be foreign power that would help us also, because we have gone outside the shore of this country also to talk to people who know the real clear present danger that face us.
“We need it like yesterday, but you can’t force your will upon people. He who has ear to hear, let him hear and if he doesn’t hear, a constitution that would not bend will break,” he said.
On the controversy trailing the 2015 presidency, Bakare insisted that no part of the nation had the right to say it was its turn to rule the country perpetually, declaring that none was a servant to the other.
“Nothing stops us from having six Dubai in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria if we have thinkers; if we have men who know how to think through and who can pre-engineer the whole process in a short while.
“Dubai, once upon a time came, to Nigeria to borrow money. Once upon a time for three years, we paid the whole civil service fee of Trinidad and Tobago. There would be no Angola today if Nigeria did not sow a seed of $30 million.
“We have made other people rule and now I challenge the people today to rise up. Let the best, the brightest, the fittest and the most competent accept responsibility and let’s put the thinkers into power,” he counselled.
Addressing the issue of Boko Haram insurgency and the inability of the military to curtail the menace, Bakare said “we have wasted resources and everyone that have been in charge of past budgets must be held accountable.”