₦airaland Forum

By Yemi Adebowale

The United States House of Representatives says Nigeria has been cited as the most dangerous place for Christians in the world and that impunity for those responsible for the killing of Christians in the country “seems to be widespread.”

The Chairman of its Sub-committee on Africa, Global Health, Human Rights and International Organisation, Christopher Smith, stated this in a letter inviting former President Goodluck Jonathan to make a presentation to the Sub-Committee on the challenges faced by Christians in Nigeria and the Niger Delta issue.



Although, the event held on the 1st and 2nd February, the actual content of the letter is only just revealed with its labelling of Nigeria as the most dangerous country to be a Christian.

Smith, in the letter made exclusively available to THISDAY, said: “My subcommittee has broadly investigated the crises facing Christians in Nigeria today. My staff director, Greg Simpkins and I have made several visits to Nigeria, speaking with Christians and Muslim religious leaders across the country and visiting fire-bombed churches, such as in Jos. Unfortunately, Nigeria has been cited as the most dangerous place for Christians in the world and impunity for those responsible for the killing of Christians seem to be widespread.

“In fulfillment of your foundation’s mandate to promote democracy, peace and transformational change, I invite you to come to the United States next week to share your views on this matter, including the alleged Islamisation of government under the current administration and the actions your foundation is prepared to take in pursuit of religious freedom.”

The sub-committee also congratulated the Nigerian former President on the establishment of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, adding, “Your timely concession after your electoral loss in 2015, demonstrates a commitment to democracy and the stability of your nation, which was acknowledged by current President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Jonathan, who was invited by the sub-committee in his capacity as Chairman of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, first addressed the sub-committee on Wednesday, and was invited to a closed-door session on Thursday, during which he said that the implementation of the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference was the panacea for ethnic and religious tensions in Nigeria.

The former President also identified impunity as a factor contributing to the recurrence of violence, such as the one in Southern Kaduna, noting that if those behind previous crises were not prosecuted, “then like-minded individuals and groups would be emboldened to repeat the same acts.”

Jonathan also talked about his efforts to end impunity, specifically citing the case of Kabiru Sokoto, the mastermind of the Christmas Day bombing of Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, who was arrested, prosecuted, convicted and imprisoned by his administration and was the first successful prosecution of a terrorist attack on a place of worship in Nigeria’s history.

He said: “That promise was fulfilled on the 20th of December 2013 when

Kabiru Umar, aka Kabiru Sokoto, was sentenced to life imprisonment after my administration investigated that crime, identified him as the mastermind, arrested him, and diligently prosecuted him and some of his associates.”

The former president also noted that his administration’s prosecution of the perpetrators of the deadly bombing of an office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also in Madalla on April 8, 2011 was the first successful prosecution of terrorists in Nigeria.

While supporting the National Conference’s recommendation for an independent Religious Equity Commission to be set up to apprehend and arrest perpetrators of ethnic and religious violence, Jonathan maintained that ending impunity would also ease tensions.

On the Niger Delta, the former president said he fully aligned with the views of the 2014 National Conference, which called for true and fiscal federalism as the way out of agitations in the region and in other parts of Nigeria.

The meetings were attended by Smith and other influential staff of the sub-committee. Others were Congressman Tony Hall, Ambassador Frank Wolf, Gregory Simpkins and Elijah Brown, who is Vice President of 21 Century Wilberforce Initiative and other stakeholders in Washington.

Former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi and Reno Omokri, a former media aide to Jonathan were also at the briefings.

People are now beginning to see through APc lies and propaganda. Enough is Enough

officer in the state from 2010 to 2016.

Receiving the defectors, the PDP state chairman, Alhaji Salisu Majigiri, said the party had constituted reception committee to receive defectors to the party.

“The committee is mandated to receive all the people who defected to our party from other parties.

“We shall treat all those who defected to our party equally without any form of discrimination.

“Just this week, we received Alhaji Umar Tata APGA governorship candidate in the 2015 election to our party together with his supporters.

“We are ready to provide level playing ground to old and new members during future elections and there will be no imposition of candidates this time around,” Majigiri said.

In his remarks, Radda, the leader of the defectors, said he decided to dump the APC for the PDP to rescue his people from alleged maltreatment.

“We have done a lot for the APC, but today my people especially the youths that I mobilised have nothing to show for it.

“We did not benefit from the APC poverty alleviation programme meant to rescue women and youths from poverty; we have presented several requests to those that matter but we were rejected,’’ Radda said.

Also speaking, Tata the former APGA governorship candidate said the defectors were prepared for the restructuring of the PDP for effective service delivery.

He said that the leadership of the PDP had promised to assist the youths with capital to establish their business.


http://metrowatchonline.com/hardship-1500-apc-members-in-buharis-katsina-domain-defect-to-pdp/

By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA—
The All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential aspirant and former Head of State, Gen.Muhammadu Buhari; APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun and Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, yesterday, led thousands of party supporters in a protest rally in Abuja, accusing the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led Federal Government of playing politics with Boko Haram.
The protest tagged ‘Salvation Rally’, was aimed at drawing global attention to what the opposition party described as deliberate hijack of the Nigeria police and other security agencies by the ruling PDP.
APC Leaders Ogbonnaya Onu(right) Muhammadu Buhari APC National Chairman John Oyegun ,Nat Sec, Mai Mala Buni and Hon Farouk Adamu during the Salvation Rally by the party in Abuja yesterday Photos Abayomi Fayese According to them, the rally was essentially a clarion call against the increased spate of insecurity, killings, corruption, and police brutality against official opposition.
They also accused President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP of gross incompetence and unprecedented display of impunity. Others at the event which started at the Eagle Square in Abuja through to the Police headquarters, were former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; APC’s deputy national chairman, North-East, Senator Shuaibu Lawal; Senator Ali Ndume, Shaba Lafiagi and Senator Gbenga Ashafa.
Speaking at the rally, the opposition leaders took turns to lambast the Federal Government, saying that President Jonathan has failed Nigerians in all ramifications. Our demands—APC leaders The first to speak was Governor Amaechi who told the crowd, mainly APC supporters, that the rally would mark the end of PDP’s impunity in the country. According to him, restoring the withdrawn security details of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and stopping the insurgency in the North-East amongst others were the demands President Jonathan must accede to. He said: “Today will mark the beginning of our resistance to the President’s attempt at owning the Nigeria Police and keeping the military in his pocket. They are either the Nigeria Police or Goodluck Jonathan’s Police.
They must choose one from today. Today, all of us must decide as a nation whether we will allow the President to continue to disobey court orders. The court has said that he should give back the Speaker his security details, and the President has disobeyed. “Today, the President must tell us why our brothers and sisters are dying in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states and they are here enjoying in Abuja. The President must answer that; why is he comfortable and Nigerians are dying.
Today, the insult of what they called stomach democracy must stop. This stomach infrastructure must stop. “Today is the choice to stop the President from defeating our interest to be Nigerians, the interest to become responsible for our own lives and choose their president. Today, the President must tell us why he stopped INEC from distributing the polling units on population basis. Today, the President must tell us whether he is our president, regional president or an ethnic president. “It is your choice to make. I am a governor but I am also a citizen. I think as citizens of Nigeria, today is the beginning for a struggle for democracy. You know we don’t have democracy any more in Nigeria. What we have in Nigeria now is diarchy. Diarchy is a government headed by a civilian but under the support of the military.
Today the President sits with the military against you and I. Today, we are told that the military will take over our elections. We must stop them today. It is your choice to make.” Vote out PDP in 2015 — Buhari APC Members and Supporters during the Salvation Rally by the party in Abuja yesterday Photos Abayomi Fayese Also speaking, former Head of State, Gen. Buhari asked the people to vote the PDP out of power next year.
“The aim of this rally has already been explained by the chairman, the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Amaechi and the subsequent speakers have already explained why we are here. This is supposed to be part of the series of activities that the APC has lined up between now up to the general elections in 2015. “We started here in Abuja because this is the federal capital. It belongs to all Nigerians. It is placed in the centre of the country. These activities will be conducted in the states and then it will continue until we go to general elections. “Our concern is the lack of performance of the Federal Government. I will like those of you that have the time and the capacity to reflect on what the PDP has done to this country from 1999 to date. Try and find out what was the state of infrastructure in 1999, what it is now and what we have earned between then and now. It is then it will dawn on you how corrupt, inefficient and indisciplined the PDP is. “The PDP cannot run from responsibility. They cannot escape from the position they put Nigeria.
Now, we are in extremely very bad shape. This country is insecure. This country is getting bankrupt and it is merely because of corruption and incompetence. APC is out to make sure that we stop lousy system by voting PDP out. Vote out the PDP next year. If you want a secure and efficient Nigeria, you just have to do that.
No alternative. Make sure you get your permanent voters cards.” Say no to impunity — Odigie-Oyegun, Gbajabiamila Cataloguing what he described as the “sins” of the PDP-led government, the national chairman of APC, Oyegun said: “Now, let us be clear. What exactly are we asking for? An end to the raging insurgency that is daily killing and maiming our compatriots. An end to the impunity that permeates the Jonathan administration. An end to the massive corruption that has left our compatriots impoverished in the midst of plenty. An unambiguous effort to ensure that 2015 elections will be free and fair.” He continued: “What you are seeing here today, which is the first stage of the occupation of Abuja, is just a warning shot.
If we do not see any discernible change of attitude on the part of the government, then we will move to the next stage on the list of actions that our party intends to take to stop the rot being perpetuated by the PDP-led Federal Government. We are therefore using this opportunity to alert Nigerians and the international community to what is undoubtedly a set of carefully-set booby traps on the path to free and fair elections next year. On a similar note, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila also lamented what he called the regime of impunity in Nigeria, saying that time has come for change. “This rally has been tagged salvation rally.
There is a reason to that and you all right here are part of the salvation army.” FG frustrating elections, security — Onu Former national chairman of ANPP, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu in his contribution chided the PDP-led government, saying its polices in the last 16 years it has held power was to frustrate the conduct of free and fair elections. “Today is a very unique and important day in the history of our country. The APC is tired about the way Nigeria has been run in the past 16 years. There is need for change for the sake of our children. “If Ghana can organise free and fair elections, Nigeria should. If Senagal can organize free and fair elections, Nigeria can.
If Zambia can organise free and fair elections, Nigeria must. “Today, APC is calling on Nigerians to make it mandatory on the ruling party that the general elections of 2015 must be free and fair. We are tired of the execuses they are giving about the insurgency in the North-East. For too long, they told us that they couldn’t act because Boko Haram was merely striking and going back into the bush. Now, the insurgents are coming out, over-running our cities and they control our cities. What has made news in Nigeria recently is not our cities falling under the control of Boko Haram but that hunters are liberating towns of Nigeria. “This is a great embarrassment to the nation.
This puts our military that we know are capable, who have distinguished themselves in military expeditions all over the world, peace keeping and so on, we know that the military is capable but we know that there is a voice behind that is making it difficult for them to act. For the sake of Nigeria, let us make sure that the interest of Nigeria is put first in everything.” Protest taken to police headquarters Meanwhile, the rally later sprawled outside the perimetres of the Eagles Square to the city with most supporters of the party carrying different placards which read “looters of treasury; friends of Jonathan; “Leave military out of elections”, “we are crying for our Chibok girls, Malabu oil scandal, police pension heist and $20b missing oil money, kerosene subsidy scandal, private jet scandal”. FROM LEFT: APC CHIEFTAIN, NASIRU EL-RUFAI; APC PUBLICITY SECRETARY, CHIEF LAI MOHAMMED; APC NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, CHIEF DAVID OYEGUN AMD APC PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT, GEN.MUHAMMADU BUHARI, AT THE APC SALVATION RALLY IN ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY Outside visiting a junction close to Transcorp Hilton Hotel, the protesters also went to the headquarters of the Nigerian police to register their concern. But the authorities barred them from accessing the office of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP. This consequently prompted the deployment of more police officers within and around the venue of the event, even as a police helicopter hovered above.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/buhari-amaechi-others-protest-rally-fg/

Ohammadike:
Fayose is truly a great man

you can say this again

Sibrah:
This man is skillful at blending the little good governance he delivers with propaganda . . . I wish he could deliver more good than evil to his people, the degree of good governance he delivers is just to little.

well said, but we also need to consider the available fund he has

if the police tries to stop this protest, we will have no other option but to Occupy Nigeria

You Can't Stop our Protest.

Open Letter To Fatai Owoseni (Lagos Commissioner of Police).

Dear Fatai,

We write to inform you that, in case you don't know, it is the civic and constitutional RIGHTS of Nigerians to protest against any Bad government and its policies.

We are compelled to write you this brief note because of your anti-people posture, that you want to stop the planned #IStandWithNigeria protest in Lagos slated for February 6th, 2017.

For your information, you don't have the power under any form, disguise or whatsoever to stand in the way of the people.

Again we ask you, why didn't you quickly write to those standing with Buhari, who really wants to cause chao and set Nigeria ablaze for planning a parallel Protest to stop their own?

The will of the people are too strong, the protest is not about Tuface but about the Nigerian people, the protest will go on in every States in Nigeria and NOTHING WILL STOP IT.

We urge you and others who may be thinking like you not to give yourselves bad names that will continue to live with you, your children and generation to come.

Heed to our Warning!!!

Concerned Citizens. #RescueNigeria #WeStandWithNigeria.

Rebroadcast Until it gets to Fatai and IGP.

aljharem:
I was a strong supporter of pmb but just before the election I saw the hand writing on the wall. THIS MAN IS CLUELESS

very CLUELESS

smogup:
Never again shall allow a tribalistic bigot who couldn't even pass waec to disceive us again

na so

pressplay411:
This is what's wrong with this country... eediats everywhere.

Don't you know GEJ put you in this mess?

If you say this in 2015 gullible who have believed you, but this 2017 , my brother people eyes Don clear and they now know the truth. PMB is a failure

I love this guy's courage, for apologizing after realizing his mistakes. We are waiting for the likes of Omojuwa and Kayode Ogundamisi to apologize to GEJ and Nigerians for sell fake change to Us

According to him GEJ is the true definition of Hero

Twitter user with the handle @deee009 yesterday, begged Former President Goodluck Ebelle Jonathan to forgive him, for his tweet in 2014. He also said GEJ is the true of Hero

if you come to attack me, be ready to be killed. Thats the word, Christians are not cowards

Enough is enough

I'm good to go. Enough is enough

Pastor Chris Okafor of Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministries (MLMM) has come out boldly to condemn the attack by fulani herdsmen on Christians nationwide and he has come out to ask Christians to defend themselves against the rampaging Fulani herdsmen. He said “If a thief coming to your house to kill you, won’t you kill the thief if you have your way?


www.thebreakingtimes.com/fulani-herdsmen-if-a-thief-comes-to-kill-you-kill-the-thief-pastor-chris-okafor-video/




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y276qRM_xBc

Three Nigerian soldiers were killed when Boko Haram attacked a military outpost in Kamuyu Village in Bui Local Government Area on Wednesday, January 25, 2016, a top security source says.

The Islamist terrorists carried out a hit-and-run raided on the army post in the village, and carted away “large ammunition” before burning down the military camp.

“Three soldiers were killed, large ammunitions carted away and the insurgents burnt down the military camp completely,” the source, who pleaded anonymity, told The Trent on Thursday. “The army has taken control of the camp as I am speaking to you now.”

Kamuya Village in Borno State is near the hometown of the chief of army staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.

This is not the first time that Boko Haram has attacked the military camp in the village. In 2015, Boko Haram killed 14 people in a raid aimed at the same army base.

Late December 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari declared victory over the Islamist terrorist group after Nigerian troops announced that they have recaptured Camp Zero in Sambisa forest, the base of the deadliest terrorist group in the world.

The Nigerian Army later presented the president with the flag belonging to the terrorist group in a “mission accomplished” ceremony.

Since the declaration a week ahead of Christmas Day 2016, Boko Haram has launched a number of deadly attacks in the North Eastern region of the country where the terrorists have murdered at least 50,000 since they began their campaign to establish an Islamic caliphate in the country.

Recently, a strong of suicide bombings took place in Maiduguri, two of them targeting the University of Maiduguri. Professor Aliyu Mani, a professor of veterinarian was killed in one of the attacks on a mosque in the institution. Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack which was carried out by a 7-year-old boy

http://www.thetrentonline.com/boko-haram-attacks-kumuya/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

Christians are not cowards if we are been killed nothing happens, we will also kill them and nothing will happen. shikena

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Ughelli, Delta State, Diamond Emuobor, on Wednesday urged Christians to “own a sword and defend themselves” against the rampaging attacks of Fulani herdsmen.

Emuobor, who is the General Overseer of Trinity Gospel Mission with its headquarters in Delta State, gave the call against the backdrop of the killings perpetrated by herdsmen in Southern Kaduna.


The Bishop alleged that the killings in the northern part of the country, especially in Southern Kaduna, was an attempt to wipe out Christianity.

He stressed that it was not unbiblical for a Christian to defend himself against external aggressors.

Emuobor urged President Muhammadu Buhari to do more towards ending the alleged killing of Christians.

He said, “Christians should defend themselves and he who has no sword, should sell his coat and buy one to defend himself.


“We are all human beings, nobody should catch you like a snail and slaughter you because you believe in Jesus Christ.

“We all would not die and those of us, who are alive, have the right to defend ourselves. Jesus says in the Book of Luke that those who have no sword should sell their coats and buy one for the defence of their lives.”


http://dailypost.ng/2017/01/26/southern-kaduna-killings-defend-sword-bishop-emuobor-christians/?utm_source=snap_dp1&utm_medium=twitter

Jokerman:
Every citizen has the right to protest against bad governance...

What's wrong with this government sef

Hope police won't shoot o...

it pure wickedness, they are suffering us and want us to keep quiet, NO it will not happen

.

The Inspector General of police Ibrahim K. Idris has deployed over 1,000 combatant ready police to cordon off the premises of Central Bank of Nigeria to stop the protesters who want to stage a rally tagged #OccupyCBN.

The Protesters has assembled in front of Women Development center in Abuja, the takeoff point, a few distance from the Central Bank with various placards in their thousands as well and are ready to kick off the protest despite the army of police at the Central Bank. 

The conveners, Prince Adeyanju and Prince Adelaja Adeoye told WailersNG reporter that a letter of notice has been delivered to the Commissioner of Police, FCT command to inform them as required by Law.

They also posited that it is the constitutional right of citizens to have a peaceful assembly whenever their is need to protest against bad governance and government stressing further that no amount of threat, intimidation or blackmail from Police, CBN and their co- travelers can stop the protest.

The CBN governor must come out to answer the numerous question on the alleged sharp practices, frauds and illegal FOREX deals going on in the apex bank to the detriment of the economy and the poor Nigerian masses.

Follow for more updates...

PRESS RELEASE: NIGERIAN WAILERS CONDEMN CORRUPT ACTIVITIES IN CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA CALLS FOR MASS PROTEST, #OCCUPYCBN

We wholeheartedly call on the good people of Nigeria to come out en mass for a protest (#OccupyCBN) to stop this impunity: the Fraudulent Forex Trading, Round Tripping and racketeering going on in the Central Bank of Nigeria aided by its Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and bring to an end the Manipulation of Forex, illegally funding Federal Government budget, shortchanging the Money Deposit Bank's reserve ratio at the expense of the Masses as the abuse of internal process is unbearable as the economy is negatively impacted and the resultant effects on the Nigerian masses is already at a dangerous level.

The high level of impunity and rascality overlooked and/or condoned by the Nigerian people in the past without taking action has made the apex bank's top executives to continue to engage in abuse of office, breach of trust, abuse of process and manipulation of the Economy.

Recall that the apex bank's top management carried out a backdoor recruitment exercise for the children of high profile Nigerian politicians, business men, in which the door was shut against the children of an average Nigerian who may have been qualified to work in the bank on merit base and were not allowed, but, the employment was freely handed to the children of friends and families of those in Government.

The act stirred and arose anger amongst Nigerians, yet there was no punitive action or consequences against the perpetrators at the CBN because, the people overlooked the situation.

It is rather sad that the poor masses who most of time supports the government to ensure good and rubost revenue, peace and stability are the ones who always get shut out when it comes to benefits even in a so called democratic government.

We ordinarily imagined that the government of President Buhari whose campaign fulcrum was on anti graft, anti corruption will expose this all round, all sector massive corruption and impunity, but, alas, it is looking the other way to the astonishment of all and sundry.

Since the emergence of the administration of President Buhari, Forex Trading has been illegally turned to an exclusive business of the friends and family of those in power as against the principle of banking which allows for professionalism in trading and ensuring circulation to the business community for import and export of goods and services that will have direct positive impact on the economy and the people.

We have again taught that the CBN will allow a level playing ground for all real stakeholders especially business community to access FOREX for trading, but they have aided the government cronies to horde it, and make it very expensive for them to in turn make huge profits upon trading. These are the factors that has made the prices of goods and services in the country to be very high and expensive, most times unaffordable.

We shudder at the high impunity and knavery at which the CBN has carried on this illegality in this dispensation, playing lip service to the change mantra of Buhari's government. This is another clear demonstration that the government and the CBN is double mouthed, playing double standards about corruption-free Nigeria.

Matter of fact, the CBN is like a mother who openly shows love and care to her baby who is corruption by selling dollar at 304 naira to friends and families of Buhari led government and selling at 480naira to the commoners who are also carrying out forex trading. Many of these Buhari's cronies makes over N2 billion profit per trading which is sometimes on a daily basis.

There is no other name to call what is going on in the Central Bank other than corruption. This is perpetrated to foist Buhari's led government by allowing his friends and family to illegally divert funds, amass wealth in preparation ahead of 2019 elections to enable them have much more money that will be more than enough for them to control the poor people, manipulate and rig the elections to his favour without batting an eye.

Therefore it is with great love for our dear nation that we passionately call on fellow Nigerians to come out en mass on Friday 13th of January, 2017 by 9am for a mass protest against the high handedness and impunity of corrupt officers in the Central Bank, so as to call the CBN to order and stop this deleterious evil for it's perniciousness and harmfulness to our nation, as we must stop the CBN from continuing in this impunity, fraud, money laundering, corruption and wickedness and make life better and easy for an average Nigerian. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.


Fasipe Oluyemi
Deputy National Publicity Secretary
The Nigerian Wailers.
Headquarters, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria.

Omo na wa ooo, even stone get level pass this presidiot

I don't understand our military again, first they told us Boko Haram have been defeated and now same defeated Boko Haram, is attacking people residence.

This governmentis seriously looking for achievement to claim but the fact, is there is non for now.

May God protect our gallant men

koladebrainiac:
Ur post is misleading

may be you will like this https:///97UaZVNh0P

plans to remove that mistake in Aso Rock have started, join a political party today and be an active member in your ward. 2019 will be an interesting year

GENERAL Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has warned the Federal Government to stop meddling in church matters.

This is just as the renowned cleric advised the members of the church to register as card-carrying members of political parties.

Speaking at the 2017 Ministers’ Annual Thanksgiving, on Saturday, at the Redemption Camp, Kilometre 46, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Mowe, Ogun State, Adeboye expressed worries over deliberate anti-Christian laws being churned out by the Federal Government to interfere in church affairs.

“The government has been showing increasing interest in church affairs. Unfortunately, for us in RCCG, it might not be very helpful,” Adeboye said.

He further accused the government of not allowing the church (RCCG) to continue with its stipulated lifetime 100 per cent salaries to its pensioners.

“For example, when I decided on what will be the pension of our pastors, what I decided is not done anywhere in the world. That somebody will retire and continue to earn full salaries all his lifetime.

“This, I started, but government stepped in and made a law that we should be contributing to pension fund.

“We have to obey and we started doing that. The result is that pastors don’t get as much as they were getting under our own previous arrangement. But, what can we do? We have to obey the law,” he disclosed.

Speaking further, Adeboye disclosed that other fresh laws had been enacted by the government to ruffle the feathers of the church in the country, with a particularly targeted at the RCCG.

According to him, “Now there are fresh laws. We have a rough idea of what the law is about.

“Some people believe that RCCG is becoming too influential and we’re going to be more influential. When you get home, tell members to join a political party.

“Join a party and become a card-carrying member of any party. Just join any party. We shall decide issues right from the ward level.

“If you are not active at ward level, you’ll do what they plan and say at the top. Enrol in any party of your choice and have a card.

“When holding meetings at ward level to choose delegates, be there.”

“One Muslim in Ibadan said years ago that he didn’t know what’s wrong with Christians; that we help them to occupy political positions and refused to capitalise on our population. That’s going to change from now,” Adeboye stated.

On the tenure of general overseers of religious bodies in the country, Pastor Adeboye disclosed that in the “new law that has been announced, they said that nobody can be overseer for more than certain number of years.

“And according to that law, people like me, Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor W. F. Kumuyi, Bishop Mike Okonkwo were already gone.”

Adeboye, thereafter presented Pastor Joseph O. Obayemi, as the new General Overseer of RCCG (Nigeria); Pastor Johnson Odesola as Secretary and Pastor Adeyokunnu as Treasurer of the mission.

Pastor Obayemi and Odesola were former Special Assistant to the General Overseer on Finance and Special Assistant on Administration and Personnel respectively.

Speaking further on the new law, Adeboye, while presenting the new appointees, said: “They also said we must have a secretary; they said we must have a treasurer too. So, I present to you, Pastor Obayemi, Pastor Odesola, and Pastor Adeyokunnu.

“As God will have it, the people have been prepared for the jobs for years. For instance, Pastor Obayemi has been in charge of the salary review committee for years and inland missions.

“He’s been our representative at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for years, so, he’ll be doing what he’s been doing.”

Adeboye, who did not specifically announce his new position, said he has no problem performing his God-given role.

“About me, no problem. RCCG is in 192 nations of the world and the Overseer in Nigeria will not drive me out of the camp.

He won’t stop me from doing the Holy Ghost Services, and he won’t stop me from visiting you,” he said.

Adeboye joined RCCG in 1973 and was appointed the General Overseer in 1981, after the demise of Ondo-born founder of the church, Reverend Josiah Akindayomi.



Adeboye remains General Overseer RCCG Worldwide —Son

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has said Pastor Adeboye remained the General Overseer, Worldwide.

A statement by Leke Adeboye, the clergyman’s last son and personal assistant, said the clarification was coming on the heels of misrepresentation of Adeboye’s announcement at the Annual Ministers Thanksgiving, held at the Redemption Camp on Saturday: that the Church in Nigeria was now to be led by Pastor Obayemi.

Adeboye said the clarification was sequel to the new legal requirements of the Financial Regulations Council, guiding all registered churches, mosques, and Civil Society Organisations.

“Part of the statement read: The regulation stipulates that heads of non-profit organisations like churches now have a maximum period of 20 years to lead their organisations while in retirement and are not permitted to hand over to their families.

“Adeboye reiterated that Pastor Funsho Odesola, will now serve as the new Church Secretary while Pastor Joseph Adeyokunu, is the new church Treasurer.

“He advised all members of RCCG to understand this new structure and go about their service to God and humanity in holiness and soul winning.

“He also appealed to members to educate people around them and not spread inaccurate information, stressing that Pastor E.A. Adeboye “remains the General Overseer of RCCG Worldwide.’’
Provisions of code of conduct for non-profit organisations

Position of the Founder or Leader
9.1. The Founder or Leader of a NFPO occupies a special position in the Organisation and is committed to the success and longevity of the NFPO. Accordingly, a Founder or Leader should not take on too many responsibilities in the organisation or have an indefinite term in the running of the organisation.

9.2. Where for any reason, a Founder or Leader of NFPO also occupies any of the three governance positions of Chairmanship of the Board of Trustees, the Governing Board or Council, and the Headship of the Executive Management (or their governance equivalents), the following provisions shall apply before the end of the organisation’s financial year in which this Code takes effect.

9.2.1. The Founder or Leader shall cease to occupy these three governance positions simultaneously. This is to ensure the separation of powers and avoid possible concentration of powers in one individual.

9.2.2. The Founder or Leader may, however, choose – subject to the agreement of the organisation’s apex authority as expressed in the Annual General Assembly, Annual Meeting, Annual Stakeholder Engagement, Annual Conference, Annual Synod, Annual Fellowship Assembly or their equivalents – only one of these three governance positions subject to his current tenure. This is to ensure a clear division of responsibilities at the head of the organisation between the running of the governing body and the executive responsibility for the management and fulfilment of the organisation’s mission.

9.3. Where the Founder or Leader has occupied all or any of these three governance positions for more than twenty years, or is aged seventy years or above, the choice in Section 9.2.2 above should only relate to the Board of Trustees as in section 9.4(c) below, except the constitution of the organisation otherwise provides. In the case of religious or cultural organisations, nothing in this code is intended to change the spiritual leadership and responsibilities of Founders, General Overseers, Pastors, Imams and Muslim Clerics, Presidents, Bishops, Apostles, Prophets, etc. which are distinguishable from purely corporate governance and management responsibilities and accountabilities of the entities.

9.4. Conflicts with Founders or Leaders should therefore be addressed by: (a) recognising and respecting past achievements and strategy of the Founder or Leader with assurances that change has become inevitable to enable his dream live on; (b) making provisions if not already in existence, or drawing the Founder’s or Leader’s attention to the maximum tenure already stipulated by the Charter and imploring the Founder or Leader to respect it; (c) considering and ensuring Founder’s or Leader’s continued advisory or spiritual role by creating a Board of Trustees (BOT) for which the original Founder or Leader can become the First or Life Chair; and (d) elevating deserving and senior members of the organisation to the Board of Trustees.

http://tribuneonlineng.com/adeboye-fg-stop-meddling-church-affairs/