Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo’s statement, that some Nigerian Pastors preach that one can acquire wealth without labour, triggered sharp reactions from Clerics across the country, on Sunday, who felt that Obasanjo goofed by singling out the men in the collars.
According to the respondents, the elder statesman failed to take cognizance of the fact that Pastors have been doing a good job of teaching morals, good character formation, and raising good citizens.
The Founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Oke- Afa, Lagos, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, described the corruption accusations leveled against Nigerian men of God by the former President, as unwarranted and unfortunate.
“These accusations are rather unfortunate, coming from someone as high ranking as the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Maybe Obasanjo has forgotten that he started it. Obasanjo called himself a Pastor when he was in Aso Villa,’’ he said.
He added: “He has a church in Ota, and that church is not for tomato sellers or bread sellers. It is only big and wealthy people that can have access to that place for church service, and these big men brought money to that church then. Did Obasanjo ask them any question like, ‘where did you get this money’? So, if at all churches are not doing that, then it is what Obasanjo laid down, that they are following.
“But I can tell you that the churches have not been corrupted. Have they penciled down any big man of God that defrauded anybody or stole government money? Has any pastor occupied any political position? The only thing I can say, is that we do not have good leadership in Christendom. If not, Obasanjo should be the one accused of corruption.
“This is because, he is the one that brought who is who to his church, and they made donations, because they were looking for his favour as the President then. So, Obasanjo should not talk of corruption; he should just keep quiet. It’s unfortunate that we don’t have people in the Christendom, who will come out to talk on this issue.
“Obasanjo started it from the beginning, when he was in government for eight good years! He used his church to make money. When you go to a President’s church, how much will you donate before they will even recognise you? Is it one thousand dollars or 100 thousand dollars, before he will even recognise you? Obasanjo should not even talk at all.’’
For Rev James Akinadewo of Motailatu Church, it was wrong for Obasanjo to single out the church for such attack, especially as the church had not ceased in its duty of moulding believers to become good citizens. “The church in Nigeria has been doing its duty of teaching good morals, character reformation, justice, and fairness, and has not ceased to provide the guiding light for all to become good citizens,” said Akinadewo.
However, Akinadewo admitted that there are a few bad eggs among church leaders, just like there are in other vocations.
His words: “It is common knowledge that the problem of Nigeria over the years, is government. And bad government is the worst form of corruption. Obasanjo is not in a position to point accusing fingers at servants of God in the manner he did, because he perpetuated eight years as President of a corrupt administration in Nigeria; not to talk of the years he occupied the apex political position in the country as Head of State.
“During his eight years as a civilian President, billions of naira were pumped into electricity; yet the power situation in Nigeria remained unresolved till date. It was also during Obasanjo’s regime, that half third majority vote was used to elect Governors, contrary to two third majority, as stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution. Definitely, Obasanjo is not in a position to call men of God corrupt,” Akinadewo added.
For the President of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Nigeria, Rev Dr. Jeremiah Gado, the fight against corruption should start from the top, because the people in position of leadership, were exposed to embezzlement of all money that had so far been made public.
Gado said: “People from the grassroots work hard on their farms, in their business, and what have you, but corruption cuts across sections of the populace.
“Yeah, leaders have a responsibility of leading right, and of being exemplary in what they do.
“You have to be clean to clean; if you are not clean, you cannot clean. We have been fighting corruption since time immemorial in Nigeria, and people who are corrupt themselves, talk about fighting corruption. It is a chorus that even the corrupt people sing; but the church in particular is supposed to be the light. We church leaders, true have to start with ourselves. If we cannot adhere to the message we preach, how can those we preach to, listen to us? Obasanjo’s message is timely. What he said is true, and it is not only true of Ministers, it is true of every Nigerian.”
“Maybe he knows what he said. He knows whether he has given bribe or corrupted any Minister of God. As far as I know, he knows me, I know him, and I go close to him.
Like Us on Facebook!
Do You Need a Sugar Mummy, Sugar Daddy, Girlfriend, Boyfriend Wife or Husband? If Yes, Then Click Here For Details
0 comments:
Post a Comment