Tunde Bakare Under Intense Pressure to Join ADC, Firmly Declines

Founder of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has revealed that he is facing significant pressure from prominent political figures to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition. Speaking at the inaugural edition of the Citadel School of Governance Dialogue Series themed “Nigeria at 65: Historical Reflections, Futuristic Projection” held in Oregun, Lagos, Bakare disclosed the relentless attempts by well-known politicians, including a former governor and minister from the South-West, who have been urging him to associate with the ADC.

“There has been considerable pressure on me from various influential personalities to join ADC. They visit my home frequently, and even while I was abroad, leaders of the party continually called, insisting on the need for my voice,” said Bakare.

Despite these persistent efforts, Bakare made it clear that he has no intention of defecting to the ADC. He noted that one of his younger political associates, who himself has benefited from key political appointments in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), also encouraged him to lend his influence to the opposition party.

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The cleric emphasized his firm stance, stating, “I am not going to take part in ADC. The last time I heard about ADC was in connection to a plane crash. While I wish them well, as Nigeria requires a vibrant opposition, you don’t create a party like APC and then attempt to destroy it yourself. We must avoid another Awolowo–Akintola crisis in the South-West.”

Bakare also expressed his belief that the presidency of Bola Tinubu is divinely sanctioned. “If God intends to remove ‘emilokan,’ He knows how to do it. The progress we have witnessed under Tinubu’s leadership is only possible with God’s backing.”

The preacher has a notable political background, having vied for the APC presidential ticket in the 2023 election where Tinubu emerged victorious. He also served as the running mate to Muhammadu Buhari in the 2011 presidential election on the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) ticket, one of the constituent parties that merged to form the APC in 2013.

The ADC coalition, officially adopted in July 2025 as the platform for opposition leaders dissatisfied with the current administration, includes former high-profile politicians such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and others seeking to challenge the ruling APC in the 2027 elections. However, Bakare’s remarks underscore a clear refusal to align with this opposition front while affirming the need for political unity and stability in the South-West and Nigeria at large.