General overseer of the
Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has been
criticised by some Nigerians for accusing the federal government of
meddling in church matters.
Pastor Adeboye has urged members of RCCG to register as card-carrying members of political parties ahead 2019 general elections.
Adeboye,
made the accusation on Sunday, December 8, at the Redemption Camp,
Kilometre 46, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun state, in reaction to a
regulation by the Financial Regulatory Council of Nigeria, (FRCN) which
stipulates 20 years tenure for heads of religious groups and civil
society groups in the country.
The cleric had said the government has been showing increasing interest in church affairs, especially against the RCCG.
He
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.
Adeboye also urged members of RCCG to register as card-carrying members of political parties ahead 2019 general elections.
But some Nigerians opposed to the cleric’s view accused him of inciting Nigerians against the federal government.
Others
called on Adeboye to obey the laws of the land and stop making excuses
for pastors who had turned the church into a money making business.
Another group reminded the cleric that the
regulation by FRCN restricting the tenure of pastors was passed during
the tenure of Goodluck Jonathan who is a Christian.
See reactions below:
Fowowe Titilopemi: "If
indeed he said this, I don't know what to say pastors must lead by
examples.it is either they practice real Christianity or nothing else.If
they choose to run profit-making businesses let them pay tax like
others.why hide businesses under church and expect government to keep
quiet while many of them daily condemn the government.let government
leave them alone but be sure to collect tax.churches must face reality
and stop spreading falsehood.The law is not new and it applies to
everyone.why must Pentecostal churches be crying more than the
bereaved????.If you tell us in church to obey the laws of the land.it is
applicable to all."
Oladiji Abiola Dada suggested that the laws were put in place to check the commercialization of churches.
He said: "This
is what happens when churches start getting enmeshed in politics. You
can't eat your cake and have it. Govt is well aware that this mega
business outfits all operating as churches and feeding on the frustrated
desires of thousands and millions of poor Nigerians are nothing but
opportunist machines. Of course this is not inclusive of the good and
honest churches out there who have no say in the scheme of political
theatrics going on.
"Govt is the mirror
of the society, the greatest denominator of all intrigues and surely the
greatest mafia clique. They know who is who and what is what because
they are the ones who cooks up the illicit complicity that remains
veiled to the ordinary eye.
"Did anyone
hear the other clerics complain?? Nay!! Me think not. They know it's
sensible to keep the diaper dry for the sake of the babies behind . It's
crunch time for those who misbehave. Least I forget, was the Vice
President not a top official of the RCCG? Lol"
Ande Isaiah Mhenuter described Pastor Adeboye's comment as inciting.
He said: "If
he truly say this, then it is unnecessary. This kind of incitement
against the state is unchristian. Laws are to be obeyed no matter who
you are. The funny thing is that these people go abroad and comply 100%
with those laws there but come back to Nigeria to whip up religious and
ethnic sentiments when faced with the same thing."
On
his part, Ali Sulyman 'explained that President Muhammdu Buhari had
nothing to do with the laws restricting the tenure of pastors since the
laws were passed during the tenure of GEJ.
He said: "In
accordance with Section 50 of the Financial Reporting Council of
Nigeria Act, 2011, which among other things requires the Directorate of
Corporate Governance to develop the principles and practices of Corp
Governance applicable in Nigeria, the Council hereby releases the
National Code of Corporate Governance effective 17th October, 2016' This
is the Act that was enacted in 2011. A 'Christian' was the president
when it was enacted. "
"His name is
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from Bayelsa state. The National Assembly was
headed by another 'Christian' from Benue state, David Bonaventure Mark.
It was to take effect in 2016. Now, let us answer these simple
questions: (1) How can the present government of President Buhari be
held responsible for an Act enacted in 2011 when he only assumed office
in 2015? (2) Was the National Assembly headed by a Muslim in 2011? (3)
If the Church falls under the 'Non-profit-mak ing' category as it does,
how is that Buhari's fault?
Suleiman Olax also criticised the cleric saying: "Haha
adeboye I respect u a lot despatch d fact am a Muslim, if it true u
said dis sir am sorry u are ......, whr were u den wen Jonathan nd mark
start it nd u can come out nd let ur follower to know d repercussions of
wat they are doing. .... nd is it buhari that ask d church to fall
under business venture nd is e d one dat ask u pastors to b exhorting ur
poor follower"
Mansur Lawal: "Called on
the church to obey the laws, he said The RCCG is a registered company
under CAC just like all other private business organisation nt as a
religious institution so they must obey the law.
Mo' Popoola said "Man of God my foot. He isn't even Christ like. Jesus was never materialistic and didn't need luxury to preach the Gospel.
"Jesus was meek and gentle. He thought before he spoke. He was compassionate and never encouraged his followers to seek vanity."
Mo' Popoola: "The law affects all Not for Profit Organizations. It affects Churches, mosques, educational institutions, NGOs etc."
Witness Udoekwere: "What was Papa Adeboye expecting to see after he and other Christians deliberately voted against Jonathan."
Evergreen Evergreen: "'In
accordance with Section 50 of the Financial Reporting Council of
Nigeria Act, 2011, which among other things requires the Directorate of
Corporate Governance to develop the principles and practices of Corp
Governance applicable in Nigeria, the Council hereby releases the
National Code of Corporate Governance effective 17th October, 2016' This
is the Act that was enacted in 2011. A 'Christian' was the president
when it was enacted.
His name is
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from Bayelsa state. The National Assembly was
headed by another 'Christian' from Benue state, David Bonaventure Mark.
It was to take effect in 2016. Now, let us answer these simple
questions: (1) How can the present government of President Buhari be
held responsible for an Act enacted in 2011 when he only assumed office
in 2015? (2) Was the National Assembly headed by a Muslim in 2011? (3)
If the Church falls under the 'Non-profit-mak ing' category as it does,
how is that Buhari's fault?"
Ope Shadrach: "No
be Christian president Jonathan and Christian Senate President David
Mark do ham abi na Buhari again?yeye dey smell keep worshiping Jonathan
now sebi na una hero. nonsense."
Dexter Sammy said:"God
Himself Is Behind This New Law, He Has Seen From Heaven, How Nigerian
Pastors Serve Themselves In The Name Of Church, They Say Its Non Profit
Organisation, But Go About Riding Private Jets, They Collect Poor
Peoples Money, Brainwash Them, Scare Them With Threats Of Imaginary
God's Wrath, Use Their Donations To Build Schools & Turn Around To
Ban Them From Attending Until They Pay Heavy Fees.
The
Recession Is Not Affecting Them, & God Is Answering The Prayers Of
The Poor & Innocent Whom They Have Brainwashed By Raising This Law
Against Them. Let Them Resign Without Complaining If The Church Is Not
Their Private Property. The Law Did'nt Say They Should Stop Preaching,
It Says They Should Stop Runing The Church Finance, Simple! I Dont Have
Problems With That."
What is your take on
the issue, was Pastor Adeboye wrong to have accused the federal
government of of meddling in church matters?
RCCG: Group urges
Adeboye to rescind resignation as G.O.
On January 10, 201710:51 amIn NewsComments
The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) has called
on Pastor Enoch Adeboye to rescind his resignation as the General
Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
The call came in a statement issued by the Executive Director of the
Abuja-based human rights group, Mr Frank Tietie, on Tuesday.
Tietie said CASER would seek a court order to compel Adeboye to reverse
his decision should the “holy man of God’’ refuse to voluntarily do so.
Adeboye
Adeboye stepped down as the General Overseer of the RCCG in Nigeria on
Saturday on the basis of the controversial Corporate Governance Code of
the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).
The code, which stipulates a 20-year maximum tenure for heads of
religious groups and civil rights organisations, among other provisions,
was suspended by the Federal Government on Monday.
But for the suspension, the regulation could have also seen the exit of
other affected men of God from the headship of their churches.
They include Bishop David Oyedepo (Living Faith Church Worldwide aka
Winners’ Chapel); Pastor William Kumuyi (Deeper Christian Life Ministry)
and Bishop Mike Okonkwo (The Redeemed Evangelical Mission).
Tietie said: “CASER urges the highly revered Pastor Adeboye to change
his mind and rescind his resignation as the General Overseer of RCCG.
“Where, therefore, the holy man of God refuses to review his decision to
resign, CASER shall seek an order of court to compel him to remain as
the general overseer.’’
He said the group was acting, not only in the interest of members of the
RCCG who respect Adeboye, but also in the interest the Church
generally.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/rccg-group-urges-adeboye-rescind-resignation-g-o/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/rccg-group-urges-adeboye-rescind-resignation-g-o/
RCCG: Group urges
Adeboye to rescind resignation as G.O.
On January 10, 201710:51 amIn NewsComments
The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) has called
on Pastor Enoch Adeboye to rescind his resignation as the General
Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
The call came in a statement issued by the Executive Director of the
Abuja-based human rights group, Mr Frank Tietie, on Tuesday.
Tietie said CASER would seek a court order to compel Adeboye to reverse
his decision should the “holy man of God’’ refuse to voluntarily do so.
Adeboye
Adeboye stepped down as the General Overseer of the RCCG in Nigeria on
Saturday on the basis of the controversial Corporate Governance Code of
the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).
The code, which stipulates a 20-year maximum tenure for heads of
religious groups and civil rights organisations, among other provisions,
was suspended by the Federal Government on Monday.
But for the suspension, the regulation could have also seen the exit of
other affected men of God from the headship of their churches.
They include Bishop David Oyedepo (Living Faith Church Worldwide aka
Winners’ Chapel); Pastor William Kumuyi (Deeper Christian Life Ministry)
and Bishop Mike Okonkwo (The Redeemed Evangelical Mission).
Tietie said: “CASER urges the highly revered Pastor Adeboye to change
his mind and rescind his resignation as the General Overseer of RCCG.
“Where, therefore, the holy man of God refuses to review his decision to
resign, CASER shall seek an order of court to compel him to remain as
the general overseer.’’
He said the group was acting, not only in the interest of members of the
RCCG who respect Adeboye, but also in the interest the Church
generally.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/rccg-group-urges-adeboye-rescind-resignation-g-o/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/rccg-group-urges-adeboye-rescind-resignation-g-o/
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