Bakare: My ADC comment wasn’t mockery of 2006 plane crash victims
By Jeffrey Agbo
Founder of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC) and Citadel School of Government, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has clarified that his recent comments referencing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were misconstrued and not intended to ridicule victims of the 2006 ADC Airlines plane crash.
Bakare, who recently said he was under pressure to join the coalition-backed opposition party but declined, had remarked: “I am not going to take part in ADC. The last time I knew about ADC was about a plane that crashed. I wish them well, because we need a robust opposition.”
The statement drew widespread criticism, with many describing it as insensitive to the memory of the 98 people who died in the October 29, 2006, ADC Airlines Flight 53 crash, which claimed, among others, the life of then Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, the cleric said his remarks at the Citadel School of Government Dialogue Series on October 4 were taken out of context, explaining that his reference was “purely metaphorical.”
‘My comments did not in any way bring into the spotlight the victims of the October 29, 2006 ADC Airline crash. I pray that all those with lingering pain from that event will find complete healing and comfort,” he said.
Bakare noted that his statement was intended to illustrate instability within political parties, not to reference any tragic event, stressing that metaphors are often used in public discourse to convey systemic failures.
Bakare added: “When one takes the ‘text’ out of ‘context,’ one becomes a con,” noting that he only chose to respond “to ensure accuracy and fairness.”
He further referenced Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s previous remark that “the ADC crashed even before it took off,” clarifying that his own statement predated Akpabio’s and carried no political undertone.
Calling for a focus on leadership and accountability, Bakare said: “Let this undue controversy surrounding the ADC crash metaphor serve as a warning. Those in the cockpit of our nation’s governance, and those trying to change course midair, must learn from history and use power as a platform for service rather than self.”
Reiterating his non-partisan stance, Bakare emphasised that the Citadel School of Government, founded in partnership with the University of Lagos Business School, is “completely non-partisan” and exists to groom transformational leaders.
“Citadel School of Government has no affiliation whatsoever with any political party. It exists to raise transformational leaders who will spearhead the emergence of a knowledge-driven, service-oriented, and globally competitive Nigeria,” he said.
Reflecting on his role in national politics, including serving as running mate to former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2011 and helping to form the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bakare reaffirmed his commitment to nation-building above politics.
“I have remained a non-partisan nation builder at heart. I have engaged leaders across party lines, from President Goodluck Jonathan to President Muhammadu Buhari, in the hope that together we can build a Nigeria that works for all,” he stated.
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