Senate reacts to Pastor TUNDE BAKARE’s ‘mafia state’ remarks, defends legislative actions

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 - The Senate leadership has described as misleading the recent remarks by Pastor Tunde Bakare on the role of the National Assembly in the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Bakare, the Serving Overseer of The Citadel Global Community Church, had on Sunday condemned both developments, attributing them to an erosion of democratic values.

“It is clear that our so-called leaders are determined to turn Nigeria into a mafia state,” Bakare said. “The two main contenders in the ongoing institutional immorality Olympics are the executive and the legislature.”

Responding in a statement issued Tuesday, Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said the comments had crossed the line and warranted a formal rebuttal. “The attention of the Senate of the 10th National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been drawn to recent public remarks made by Pastor Tunde Bakare, which included sweeping generalisations and disparaging commentary aimed at the institution of the National Assembly,” the statement read.

“While the Senate respects the right of every citizen — regardless of station — to express views on the state of the nation, we are constrained to respond when such commentary crosses the line into unwarranted invective and misleading assertions that risk eroding public trust in democratic institutions.”

Adaramodu acknowledged Bakare’s previous contributions to national discourse but said his latest statements were riddled with contempt and lacked substantiation. “Pastor Bakare, a cleric and political voice in his own right, has previously contributed to national discourse in ways that have spurred reflection and debate,” he said. “However, his most recent statements veer away from constructive criticism into rhetoric, unfortunately laced with contempt and unsubstantiated claims. We view his corrosive criticisms of the National Assembly as a biased and political ecumenical homily.”

The Senate further emphasised that Bakare’s status as a political figure and lawyer makes the implications of his words even more significant. “While he remains a respected cleric, his role as a prominent political figure cannot be discounted when assessing the lens through which his comments are made. His position as a political leader influences the context of his statements, which are not only reflections of personal views but also carry significant political implications.”

“Pastor Bakare is not only a cleric and political figure but also one with a legal background,” Adaramodu continued. “He is, therefore, well aware of the constitutional boundaries that guide public commentary — particularly on matters that are sub judice.”

The Senate maintained that it would refrain from commenting on issues currently before the courts in deference to the rule of law and judicial independence. Adaramodu also responded to calls for a more confrontational stance between the legislature and executive, dismissing such suggestions as performative. “While some may attempt to portray an unnecessary adversarial dynamic between the National Assembly and the executive arm of government as a marker of virility in checks and balances, we must clarify that such tension, though it may entertain some, does not necessarily equate to effective legislative oversight. The true test of institutional maturity lies not in performative hostility but in principled engagements and results-driven processes.”

He dismissed Bakare’s reference to the “infamous third-term agenda” as a misguided benchmark for evaluating the current assembly. “To cast aspersions on the entire institution based on personal frustrations, ideological differences, or as positioning ahead of possible future political alignments is not only unfair but also counterproductive to our collective democratic journey.”

Adaramodu noted that Bakare had, in the past, criticised earlier assemblies that he now speaks positively of. “We are confident that, in time, with a nuanced review of the performance of the 10th National Assembly — within the context of the exigencies of this time and season — Pastor Bakare may, at some point in the future, commend us for acting in the best interest of the people of Nigeria, in line with our constitutional mandate.”