Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), Pastor Tunde Bakare, has said that he never meant to mock victims of the October 29, 2006 ADC Airlines tragedy by linking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the tragic airline crash. Recall that he recently revealed that he is under pressure to join the coalition-backed opposition party.
“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,” he said.
Reacting during a news conference, Bakare clarified that his statement at the inaugural edition of the Citadel School of Government Dialogue Series on October 4 was taken out of context.
According to him, his reference to the ADC was merely a metaphor to describe the instability within some political parties in Nigeria, not a reference to the plane crash or its real-life victims.
He noted that the backlash his statement attracted was a result of the clear misunderstanding of his words, stressing that his use of metaphors is the same as people referring to events like the Titanic tragedy to illustrate systemic failure.
“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.
When one takes the ‘text’ out of ‘context,’ one becomes a con, noting that he only decided to respond to ensure accuracy and fairness,” Bakare said.
Emphasizing that Senate President Akpabio recently joked that the ADC crashed even before it took off, he pointed out that his own statement predated Godswill’s comment and had zero political undertone.
Pastor Bakare concluded by urging Nigerians to focus on the lessons of leadership, accountability, and service to the people.
“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.
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.
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 added.
