The Senate has tackled Pastor Tunde Bakare over his comments on the National Assembly’s role in the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers and the suspension of Kogi Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Bakare, while speaking on Sunday, had also criticised the National Assembly’s ratification of the state of emergency declaration by President Bola Tinubu. The serving overseer of The Citadel Global Community Church stated, “It is clear that our so-called leaders are determined to turn Nigeria into a mafia state. “The two main contenders in the ongoing institutional immorality Olympics are the executive and the legislature.” Responding in a statement issued on Tuesday, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, said Bakare crossed the line with his statement. “The attention of the Senate of the 10th National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been drawn to recent public remarks made by Pastor Tunde Bakare, which included sweeping generalisations and disparaging commentary aimed at the institution of the National Assembly. “While the senate respects the right of every citizen, regardless of station, to express views on the state of the nation, 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 cleric and political voice in his own right, has previously contributed to national discourse in ways that have spurred reflection and debate. “However, his most recent statements veer away from constructive criticism into rhetoric, unfortunately laced with contempt and unsubstantiated claims. “We view his corrosive criticisms of the national assembly as a biased and political ecumenical homily. “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. “His position as a political leader influences the context of his statements, which are not only reflections of personal views but also carry significant political implications. “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 subjudice.”