Did Adeboye Betray Bakare?

On the 2nd of May 2011, I wrote on my blog: http://kalig-gwegwe.blogspot a piece titled, “Bakare: A clergy that will not wait to hear from God.” After I posted this piece on my facebook platform, some responded with dismay. Their arguments were hinged on the fact that Pastor Tunde Bakare was a Man of God and should therefore not be questioned. But if I may ask: Who is a Man of God? Is it the one who consults men rather than God? Clearly, Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Later Rain Assembly rather than seek God’s opinion, ran to fellow human beings for advice.

Only yesterday (16th May), the Nigerian Compass published a distasteful news article with the caption, “Pastor Adeboye told me to run with Buhari.” From all intent and purpose, Tunde Bakare was simply blackmailing Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. The message he wanted the world to believe was that Pastor Adeboye betrayed him by asking him to run with Buhari only for he (Adeboye) to turn around to bless President Goodluck Jonathan some few weeks later.

To make matter worse, Pastor Bakare was reported to have threatened to expose the presidential flag bearer of the ACN, Nuhu Ribadu alleging that his anti-corruption credentials were doubtful. The questions begging for answers are: Why did he cover the sins of Ribadu while he revealed those of other candidates? Did he think the supposed merger talks between ACN and CPC will benefit him personally? Rather than keep quiet forever, he decided to spill the beans because his political ambition has crashed at least for now. This is not the character of a presidential material.
It’s necessary to note that Pastor Adeboye is very matured. That was why he didn’t ask Bakare to drop his political ambition. Adeboye had seen desperation written boldly on the face of Pastor Bakare. Advising him against his presidential ambition would have attracted Adeboye insults from the fiery preacher of the Later Rain Assembly. The best thing Adeboye did was to allow him drown in his own arrogance. Despite the enormous powers on his shoulders, Christ was humble and logical whenever he had reasons to pursue a different opinion from that of others.

I have the feeling that Adeboye was shocked when Bakare sought his opinion concerning the vice presidential offer from Buhari. In the first place, Adeboye knows that he is not God. Fundamentally, he must have expected Bakare to seek the mind of God- not him. But knowing how fiery Bakare could be, Adeboye played safe by asking him to go ahead. It was wisdom.

Let no one, including Pastor Tunde Bakare blame Pastor Enoch Adeboye. He only applied wisdom to send a strong message across to all true Men of God: Rely on God only. Men of God should not give their calling a bad name. Rather than blackmail Pastor Adeboye, Bakare should go down on his knees and beg God for forgiveness. He should also apologise to his numerous followers and admirers. Let him bury his ego and do this fast. There is no pride in God’s kingdom.