Abuja, April 22, 2025 — The Senate has issued a strong rebuke to the Serving Overseer of the Global Community Citadel Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, over his recent scathing remarks about the 10th National Assembly, accusing the cleric of making politically charged and unfounded allegations that “crossed the line.”
The response was contained in a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, who described Bakare’s comments as “sweeping, disparaging, and politically motivated.”
Bakare, a former presidential aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), had during his Easter State-of-the-Nation address accused President Bola Tinubu of reducing the National Assembly to “a haven for legislative rascality” and likened the legislature to the “48th member” of the executive cabinet. He also condemned the recent emergency rule in Rivers State and lambasted lawmakers for backing it, while highlighting surging insecurity across Plateau, Benue, and Enugu states.
Reacting to the broadcast, Adaramodu criticised Bakare for what he termed “a biased and political ecumenical homily,” stating that such remarks were not only unsubstantiated but potentially damaging to Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“We view his corrosive criticisms of the National Assembly as an attempt to delegitimise a constitutionally established institution,” the Senate spokesperson said. “The National Assembly cannot and will not be drawn into responding to matters already before a competent court, out of respect for the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.”
Adaramodu further noted that while a degree of tension between the legislative and executive arms is a normal feature of democracy, it should not be misinterpreted as dysfunction or complicity. He accused Bakare of attempting to score political points by casting aspersions on the legislature ahead of potential future political ambitions.
“To cast aspersions on the entire institution based on personal frustrations, ideological differences, or future political alignments is not only unfair but also counterproductive to our collective democratic journey,” the statement said.
While acknowledging Bakare’s right to express his views, Adaramodu insisted that the cleric had crossed a line by promoting what he described as “aspersions and unsubstantiated claims” against the National Assembly. He added that the Senate felt compelled to respond to prevent the public from being misled.
Addressing Bakare’s comparison of the current legislature with the National Assembly that rejected former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s infamous Third Term bid, Adaramodu stressed that no unconstitutional agenda had been presented to the 10th Assembly.
“It’s noteworthy that the executive has never brought any unconstitutional proposal before the 10th National Assembly—unlike the unspeakable but infamous Third Term agenda Pastor Bakare referenced,” he said.
The Senate spokesperson concluded by urging for national dialogue to be rooted in truth and mutual respect.
“The challenges facing our country require dialogue anchored on truth, mutual respect, and a commitment to nation-building—not polarising rhetoric that undermines confidence in our democratic institutions. The Senate remains open to engaging with all Nigerians, including Pastor Bakare, in the spirit of constructive engagement,” Adaramodu said.