The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has issued a strong rebuttal to recent comments by Pastor Tunde Bakare, who described the National Assembly as a “haven for legislative rascality” in his Easter Sunday message. The statement, delivered through Senate Spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu, condemned Bakare’s remarks as sweeping generalisations that verge on misleading and potentially damaging to public trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
According to a 9am News report, the Senate acknowledged Pastor Bakare’s constitutional right to express his opinion, but emphasised the importance of constructive and fact-based commentary, especially from public figures with considerable political and legal experience.
“While the Senate respects the right of every citizen to express views on the state of the nation,” Adaramodu stated, “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.”
Pastor Bakare, a former vice-presidential candidate and presidential aspirant, has consistently used his platform to speak on national issues. However, the Senate suggested that his recent criticisms may be influenced by political positioning and personal ideologies, rather than objective assessment.
“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,” the Senate statement read.
On Bakare’s criticism that the National Assembly has become subservient to the Executive, the Senate dismissed the claim as both unfair and untrue. The institution cited instances of constructive disagreement with the Executive, including its deliberations on the Rivers State state of emergency declaration, as evidence of independent legislative action.
Addressing specific allegations, Adaramodu reiterated that the National Assembly would not comment on matters currently before the courts, citing constitutional provisions and respect for judicial independence.
“Pastor Bakare is not only a cleric and political figure but also one with a legal background. He is, therefore, well aware of the constitutional boundaries that guide public commentary—particularly on matters that are sub judice,” Adaramodu said.
The Senate emphasized that effective legislative oversight is not measured by tension with the Executive but by principled engagement and productive outcomes. The statement criticized attempts to create an adversarial narrative between the two arms of government as “entertainment” that distracts from real governance issues.
In reference to Bakare’s benchmark for legislative independence—the rejection of the infamous Third Term Agenda—the Senate clarified that no unconstitutional agenda has been presented to the 10th National Assembly. It urged commentators to avoid retroactive comparisons that serve political narratives, rather than current realities.
“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,” the Senate noted.
The Senate concluded its statement by reaffirming its commitment to open, constructive engagement with Nigerians, while urging public figures to temper criticisms with facts and a sense of national responsibility.
In a political climate where public trust is crucial, the Senate called for balanced discourse that strengthens rather than undermines democratic institutions.
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