How Buhari Defended Saying "Jesus Christ of Nazareth": Pastor Tunde Bakare

• The late former President Muhammadu Buhari has been praised for being a religiously tolerant person in his lifetime
• Pastor Tunde Bakare, an ally of the former president, recalled the moment that Buhari mentioned Jesus Christ of Nazareth to his ears
• The cleric said he once challenged the former president, and his response was more challenging than expected

Pastor Tunde Bakare, a former ally of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, has recounted one of his moments with the late Nigerian leader, when he said "Jesus Christ of Nazareth" after having a hectic day.

According to Bakare, the incident happened when they both ran for president and vice president under the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) after the official launch of their campaign in Kaduna, and they returned home in the same vehicle.

What Pastor Tunde Bakare said about Buhari

The cleric made the revelation while speaking in an interview on Channels TV, adding that he had thought the former president was a religious fundamentalist until he got closer to him. He recalled that Buhari got out of the campaign vehicle and got tired and staggered. Bakare then added that Buhari exclaimed "Jesus Christ of Nazareth", which he was surprised him, and he questioned him.

Bakare further disclosed that Buhari responded that he was only thankful to God. He recalled that Buhari then questioned him if Christians only have the monopoly on using "Jesus Christ.

The cleric's statement reads in part:

"He said, 'You do not have a monopoly of Jesus Christ, I am thanking God'. He just said that"

See the video of the interview here:

How Buhari's alliance with Tinubu started

Recall that Bakare was Buhari's running mate in the 2011 presidential election under the CPC. Ahead of the 2015 general election, the party formed an alliance with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which was being led by now President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu and Buhari's alliance led to the formation of the now ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Buhari became the flagbearer of the party in the 2015 general election and defeated the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former president was re-elected in 2019 under the APC and eventually handed over to President Tinubu at the end of his second term tenure on May 29, 2023. Tinubu then granted a state burial to the late president on Tuesday, July 15.

Buhari, born on December 17, 1942, died on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 82. He was a former military head of state who later became a civilian president. The late president was one of the most influential and polarised figures in Nigeria's political scene.

NNPP chieftain Abioro mourns Buhari

Legit.ng earlier reported that Ogun NNPP chieftain Damilare Abioro has mourned the demise of the immediate past Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.

The NNPP chieftain in a statement sent of condolence message to President Bola Tinubu, Buhari's family and Nigerians at large.

Speaking on Buhari's death, the former senatorial aspirant described the death of the ex-president as a great loss for the country.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng