The Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has clarified comments he made linking the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to a plane crash.

Bakare has now insisted that his remarks were not intended to mock victims of the October 29, 2006 ADC Airline tragedy.

The clergyman recently said he’s under pressure to join the coalition-backed ADC but is unwilling to join the 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.

Speaking at a news conference on Sunday, Bakare claimed his statements were taken out of context.

He explained that his reference to the ADC was “purely metaphorical”, aimed at describing the instability within some political parties in Nigeria, not a reference to the plane crash or its victims.

“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.

The ADC Airline Flight 53 crash in 2006 claimed 98 lives, including the then Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido.

Pastor Bakare clarifies comment on ADC plane crash that killed Sultan of Sokoto