The senate leadership says Pastor Tunde Bakare’s recent
remarks on the national assembly’s role in the declaration of emergency rule in
Rivers state and suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Kogi central
senator, are misleading.
On Sunday, Bakare, the serving overseer of The Citadel
Global Community Church, condemned the senate’s suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan,
the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers by President Bola Tinubu, and
subsequent ratification by the national assembly.
“It is clear that our so-called leaders are determined to
turn Nigeria into a mafia state,” Bakare had said.
“The two main contenders in the ongoing institutional
immorality Olympics are the executive and the legislature.”
However, in a statement issued on Tuesday, Yemi Adaramodu,
chairman of the senate committee on media and public affairs, said the red
chamber was compelled to respond to Bakare’s comments, describing the remarks as “crossing the
line”.
“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
reads.
“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.”
Describing Bakare as a cleric and political voice, Adaramodu
said the senate acknowledged the cleric’s past contributions to national
conversations but noted that his latest statements were laced with “contempt
and unsubstantiated claims”.
“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,” the senate spokesperson 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.”
While acknowledging his stature as a cleric, Adaramodu said
Bakare’s political and legal background must be taken into account when
assessing the implications of his remarks.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
He added that the senate expected Bakare, as a trained lawyer, to know the constitutional limits of public commentary, especially on issues that are sub judice.
“Pastor Bakare is not only a cleric and political figure but
also one with a legal background,” he said.
“He is, therefore, well aware of the constitutional
boundaries that guide public commentary — particularly on matters that are sub
judice.”
He maintained that the senate would not engage in matters
already before a court, out of respect for the rule of law and judicial
independence.
He also addressed suggestions that the national assembly
should engage in open hostility with the executive arm, calling such displays
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,” he added.
“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 flawed benchmark, stating that the 10th national assembly has
never been approached with any unconstitutional request by the executive.
“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,” he said.
Adaramodu noted that Bakare had also been critical of
previous assemblies, which he now praises.
“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,” he added.
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