On PTB: Just So You Know

“Wait till you have fought my battles; only then can you demean my scars”

1. He was once offered $50,000 as “Transport fare/Thank you for coming” gift from the Presidency in 2010. He refused it. It was in the news.

2. He was presented with a brand new Rolls Royce Phantom for his 60th birthday in 2014. He took a long look at it and politely rejected it, insisting that it be returned to the Rock where it came from.

3. He rejected his legitimately appropriated allowances and remuneration for participating in the National Conference in 2014. Instead, he paid his own hotel bills and for his weekly return plane tickets to and fro Abuja from Lagos as well as those of his 3 members of staff from his own pocket throughout the duration of the Conference.

4. He rejected the sum of $600,000 cash sent to him as “Thank You” gift just before the 2015 elections.

5. He has rejected every overture for a position in or favours from government,  preferring just to be known as “friend of the President”.

6. In the days of Abacha, he was arrested and questioned by SSS. They probed every aspect of his financial transactions with a toothcomb and eventually told him they found nothing that could be held against him.
7. He has, several times, publicly stood to challenge anyone who has any evidence of graft or anything shady about his dealings with ANY government to come out with it. Nobody has taken up the challenge.

When you have been exposed to or had to do what he did in similar circumstances, you may come to lecture me on integrity and double-speak!

How many of those vilifying him now can boast of such impeccable credentials?  These are all information in the public domain. But it is convenient for you to ignore all that and talk about one “failed” prophecy you never understood or bothered to, even after he explained himself on it several times.

What of the several that he gave and they came to pass?
If you say Bakare was paid to launder Tinubu’s image, how much have you been paid to rubbish Bakare’s image? Must everything be about money?
Bakare needs no defence. He is quite capable of defending himself and his credentials speak for him.

So let me ask, “When did it become a crime to express an ambition or desire for ANY office in the land as a citizen? Must everybody, through apathy and grandstanding, not know the name of their Local Government Chairman like you?” 

If you feel so strongly about what is wrong with Nigeria and its polity, throw your hat in the ring and show us your model of puritanism. Stop delegitimizing those who express a legitimate desire as citizens. Fly your own kite. Throw your hat in the ring. The more the merrier. 

If all you do is rant about those who have picked up the gauntlet, just know that the man trembling by the side of a river is not the one to ask for direction on how to cross to the other side!

When did it become an offence to express an opinion, either for or against? You don’t have to agree with him. But to resort to guttersnipes and unsubstantiated allegations will not just cut it. 

The man, Pastor Tunde Bakare, is a blessing to Nigeria and NOTHING can change that!!! With a few more like him, Nigeria is well on her way to the desired haven! May we not be the land that eats up its own inhabitants!!!

May Nigeria succeed!” 

©Tope Popoola