CLERICS in the Niger Delta region has called on President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the Senate to shun recommendations by the National Conference that churches,
mosques and other places of worship should pay taxes.

The clerics, who spoke under the aegis of the Committee of Concerned Clergies for Peace in the Niger Delta, explained that such a recommendation would amount to asking God to pay taxes to men.

National Coordinator of the committee, Pastor Richard Ihunwo, said on Saturday in Port Harcourt that delegates who made the recommendation should be aware that their action could affect the unity of the country.

Ihunwo stated that no country in the world would suggest that churches and mosques should pay taxies, advising that places of worship should not be seen as business centres.

“We advise Mr.President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and the leadership of the Senate to shun the recommendation by delegates at the ongoing National Conference on the
imposition of taxes on religious houses, churches or mosques etc.
“Such act will amount to asking our maker to pay taxes to men. Furthermore, such delegates should know that they are ignorantly presiding over the division of Nigeria,” he said.

On the disagreement between the Rivers State Government and
National Judicial Council, Ihunwo urged the state government to back off the current legal war due to the abuse of detainees’ rights to fair hearing.

He explained that many detainees could not be tried as a result of the indefinite strike embarked upon by the state judiciary workers.

Ihunwo warned politicians in the state to remember that Rivers belongs to all and not to them alone, adding that the need to pray for peace and support peacemakers was necessary.

He said, “We diligently advise and warn all political power inter-players within Rivers State to remember that the state does not belong to them alone neither are they the only
inhabitants of the state.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/clerics-oppose-proposal-for-churches-to-pay-taxes-2/?

Nonsense!

THe voice of the common man shall not be suppresed!

https://www.nairaland.com/1811011/nairaland-petition-tax-religious-bodies

It may work in other countries, not in Nigeria. it amounts to exploitation, at the long run, it will all be embezzled by unknown forces in government.

If companies that registered with Corporate Affairs Commission pay taxes why should churches that register with CAC not pay taxes? By registering with CAC such churches have made themselves a worldly profit making organisation hence should pay tax. Husband & Wife Churches take note.