I am not one to shy away from identifying with my Christian faith as I have demonstrated with posts on the alleged Abuja Declaration (1989), Pastor Joseph Prince, Bucket List and Hepatitis. While my Christian belief does not mean I should be gullible and accept whatever anyone says or claims, which is why I do not support Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor's support for President Jonathan, I have chosen to believe Papa Ayo's explanations on his jet that was impounded in South Africa for carrying $9.3m. I disagree with Pastor Oritsejafor's support for President Jonathan but I do realise that he has every right to support whoever he wants just like I have every right to suppot whoever I want.
But my disagreement with this man of God who has been vilified by many does not erode my respect for him. I respect him because he is an oracle of God and because he has been the rallying force behind Nigerian Christians' resolve not to be annihilated by Boko Haram. He has been vocal in denouncing the sect's activities and this cannot be wished away by even the most vociferous among his haters and detractors. I do not mind being called names by even some Christians who claim they are not fanatics but people who are reasonable. I do not mind being called bigoted. But one thing I know is that Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has given his explanations and I have chosen to believe him, the same way you may refuse to believe him. He has stated his own side of the story and I give him the benefit of the doubt. I know he is a man of integrity; a man who fears God and who will not bring reproach or profane the name of Christ among the heathens.
And even if he is found to have run foul of the law (I'm very sure though, that he is not a lawbreaker), I will still give him my support, while expecting that the law must take its proper cause.
So, until Papa Ayo Oritsejafor is proven guilty, I give him my full support. Please read Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor's explanation below.
“I want to assure you that I will not do anything to tarnish the image of Jesus Christ or compromise the divine standard of the church.
“As you are all aware, the media has been awashed in the past few days about an unfortunate incident involving the movement of funds from Nigeria to South Africa. In the unfortunate news reports, attempts have been made to link me directly with the transaction.
“So far I have refrained from making any direct public response pending the time that I would have brief the leaders if the church and explain my position on the issues to them.
“I believe that the primary institution that I owe any explanation to is the church.
“At the risk of being seen to be defending myself, I wish to confirm to the distinguished leaders of the church that the Bombardier Challenger 601 aircraft in question is mine. The aircraft was presented to me as a gift by members of our congregation and ministry partners worldwide at my 40th anniversary of my call into the ministry.
“May I be permitted to stress that the aircraft was not given to me by the President of Nigeria, neither was it a settlement for any political favour or patronage.
“With the benefit of hindsight, the President of the country was a guest in our church during the anniversary celebration when the jet was presented to me.”
“The President of Nigeria has nothing to do with the gift of the aircraft. By the way I still wonder why all those saying this, still cannot come out to show proof so that the matter can be put to rest once and for all. Let me say that this might be an issue for the courts in the near future.
“In order to ameliorate the cost of maintenance of the aircraft, I sought and got permit to allow the aircraft fly in and out of Nigeria.
“Based on this, I leased the aircraft on August 2, 2014 to a company to run it. It was the leasee that entered into an agreement with the people who carried out the transfer of funds. Having leased the aircraft to the Green Coast Produce Company Limited, any transaction undertaken with the aircraft can no longer be attached to me.
“Inasmuch as I am shocked and distressed by the incident, I wish to appeal to Christians in Nigeria to remember that a war has been waged against the Nigerian church. This war is being fought on many fronts and this unfortunate incident is another dimension in the assault against the church.
“It is clear that those who manipulated this conspiracy desire to create a schism in the church.
“The media hype and the deliberate distortion of information that followed it confirmed that forces that desperately desire to cause division and disunity in the church are at work. Even the devil knows that a house that is divided cannot stand.
“As Christians, we need unity in the church now more than ever. We are witnessing inhuman attacks by religious extremists against Christians in the northern part of the country, while christian infrastructure is being destroyed in hundreds.
“If we permit the enemy divide us, our chances of corporate survival shall be severely threatened.
“Distinguished leaders of the church, please permit me to state clearly before God and before all of you here present today, that I am not a party to the movement of $9.3m from Nigeria to South Africa to purchase arms and ammunition. I am not part of the deal. I know nothing about it.
“If I offend you or you offend me; instead of talking to media, let us talk to each other within the house of God.”
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