Pastor Tunde Bakare, the founder of Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC) and the Citadel School of Government, has addressed concerns regarding his recent remarks about the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and a “plane crash,” clarifying that his statement was not meant to belittle the victims of the 2006 ADC Airlines disaster.
He emphasized that his comment was intended as a metaphor to highlight the instability within certain Nigerian political parties, rather than to make light of a tragic event.
During the inaugural session of the Citadel School of Government Dialogue Series on October 4, Bakare had stated, “I am not going to participate in ADC. The last time I heard about ADC was in connection with a plane crash. I wish them success because a strong opposition is essential.”
In response to the backlash accusing him of insensitivity, Bakare held a press conference on Sunday to clarify his position, explaining that his words were misunderstood and taken out of context.
“My remarks were never intended to spotlight the victims of the October 29, 2006 ADC Airlines crash. I pray for healing and solace for all affected by that tragedy,” he said.
He compared his use of figurative speech to common references such as the Titanic sinking, which is often used to symbolize institutional failure, stressing that his aim was to draw attention to the precarious nature of some adc-voter-registration-concerns/” title=”INEC Calms …'s Concerns Over Voter Registration Numbers”>political entities.
“Removing the ‘context’ from the ‘text’ leads to misinterpretation,” he noted, adding that he chose to respond to ensure clarity and fairness.
Bakare also mentioned that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had previously made a similar joke, claiming that “the ADC crashed before it even took off,” but clarified that his own comment was made earlier and carried no political implications.
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He encouraged Nigerians to look beyond sensationalism and focus on the core issues of leadership and responsibility.
“Let this controversy over the ADC crash metaphor serve as a lesson. Those steering our nation’s governance, and those attempting to alter its course, must learn from past mistakes and wield power as a means of service, not self-interest,” Bakare urged.
Reaffirming his impartial stance, he highlighted that the Citadel School of Government, established in collaboration with the University of Lagos Business School, operates as a strictly non-partisan institution committed to nurturing transformative leadership.
“The Citadel School of Government is not affiliated with any political party. Its mission is to develop leaders who will drive Nigeria towards becoming a knowledge-based, service-driven, and globally competitive nation,” he explained.
Reflecting on his extensive experience in national affairs, Bakare noted that despite his past role as a vice-presidential candidate and involvement in the creation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), his allegiance has always been to Nigeria rather than any political group.
“I have consistently remained a non-partisan advocate for national progress. I have worked with leaders across the political spectrum, from President Goodluck Jonathan to President Muhammadu Buhari, with the shared goal of building a Nigeria that benefits all citizens,” he stated.
He concluded by calling on Nigerians to engage in political discussions with maturity and understanding, reminding them that metaphors are meant to inspire thought, not provoke anger.
