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Bakare may emerge minister

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Restructuring: Northern elders insincere to the Ideals of Ahmadu, Balewa, Bakare says

In from Olumide Olaoluwa…

Outspoken preacher, Pastor Tunde Bakare, is likely to be appointed a minister in the yet-to-be constituted cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ripples learnt that Bakare, who was running mate to Buhari under the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the 2011 presidential contest, still enjoys the full confidence and respect of the president.

It was gathered that Buhari is disposed to rewarding the lawyer-turned-preacher with a ministerial position for his loyalty and steadfast adoration. The duo have been in constant touch, a development that Bakare confirmed in a recent encounter with our correspondent.

The senior pastor of Latter Rain Assembly Lagos said: “President Buhari and I are in touch. We speak regularly on phone on issues of national concerns.”

He has been named as part of a 23-man delegation that will accompany the President on a state visit to the United States of America later this month during which they would have an audience with President Barack Obama.

It was further gathered that Buhari and Bakare have discussed the possibility of the latter joining the cabinet based on his personal competence and integrity. Sources however could not state which portfolio Bakare might be offered.

The only snag, according to observers, is that Bakare is not a card-carrying member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). His nomination will be resisted by party chieftains, who are angling for their loyalists to pick the few available slots.

Also, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, where Bakare hails from, is not a fan of the radical preacher. The governor, who is equally close to the President, has penciled down at least two of his closest associates, for the state’s slot.

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Though Buhari has openly stated that no governor will dictate nominees to him for ministerial posts, it was learnt the President is aware it would make no political sense not to carry the state helmsmen along in his nominations.

It is unknown if Amosun will concede the state’s slot to Bakare, who is hugely admired by Buhari. Besides, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is also from Ogun State and is expected to have an input in who represents the state in the cabinet.

Osinbajo, observers reckon, might not be comfortable with Bakare around since the latter also sought for the post he currently occupies.

When our correspondent asked Bakare if he would consider the offer of a ministerial appointment, he simply said: “When we get to that river, we will know how to cross it.”

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  1. Don Lucassi

    July 15, 2015 at 8:32 am

    Abeg if the man is qualified and with integrity, then he should be considered…all these politics should be put aside for the sake of the national good. If the other nominees are better, then they should be considered instead

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