Bishop David Oyedepo’s license to build an airfield has been strongly opposed by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic human rights organization.
According to MURIC, these developments need to be closely examined to make sure other groups’ rights and interests aren’t being violated. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group’s head, contended that it was a risky precedent, especially in a country plagued by widespread instability and religious issues.
As such, it demanded that the license be revoked. The National Assembly (NASS) was also urged to look into the situation by the group.
Professor Ishaq Akintola, the founder and executive director of MURIC, demanded in a press release on Friday, October 11, 2024, that the license be revoked.
The text of the statement is as follows:
Two days ago, the Federal Government (FG) declared that it had given Bishop David Oyedepo of Canaanland, also known as Winners Chapel or Living Faith Church, permission to construct an airfield.
“We vehemently denounce this action. It is offensive and inconsiderate in addition to being careless and risky. It sets a risky precedent. In a multireligious community beset by religious crises and widespread unease, this should not be taking place. This license has to be cancelled right now. It is noteworthy that despite posing a risk to national security, the license is already causing discussion.
“Reliving the past, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor was apprehended in South Africa in possession of a jet carrying $9.3 million in cash. He told the South African authorities that the funds were intended to be used to buy weapons.
The Jonathan-led administration subsequently supplied an official cover-up when the ruling government asserted that FG was aware of the arms deal.
“There must be more to this than meets the eye. Ayo Oritsejafor was the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) when he was caught with this money in South Africa. His firebrand leadership style caused ripples in the country as religious controversies rented the air.
“Besides, Oritsejafor was not alone in his private jet when he was caught. There was an Israeli citizen with him. It becomes interesting if we connect this with FG’s interest in contracting Israelis as security advisers in Aso Rock. These are the same Israelis presently committing genocide in Gaza and rebuffing the United Nations.
“Granting Bishop Oyedepo licence to build an airstrip is an open invitation to the Israeli Mossad to fly in directly to abduct Muslims and disappear at will. Forceful rendition of Muslims from the streets to Western countries has been a common practice for some time now but this development may exacerbate it.
“This airstrip will expose Nigerian Muslims to danger. Foreign mercenaries may land at the airstrip from outside Nigeria to commit atrocities and leave from there undetected. The destiny of Nigeria should not be placed in the hands of a single religious group.
“Coupled with the inability of our security agencies to pinpoint the source of supply of weapons to insurgents, kidnappers and separatists, we must agree that Nigeria is not ripe for this type of licence for a religious leader to build a private airstrip. We all know that Nigerians practice acrobatic religiousity instead of religion per se. Many Nigerians bid farewell to reason a long time ago, particularly in matters of faith.
“Nigeria would probably have been up in flames if this kind of licence had been given to a Muslim, say, Shaykh Ahmad Gumi whom some Muslim-haters love to hate. That is why we are wondering why social analysts, commentators and human rights lawyers and activists have elected to adopt a strange culture of silence over the Oyedepo airstrip imbroglio.
“We charge Nigerians to rise as one in condemning this misadventure. Let us eschew sentiments and address the issue objectively. FG misfired big time this time around. It is gross miscalculation to favour one religion out of three. Discrimination and favouritism can only widen the gap between Nigerians.
“We urge the National Assembly to bring sanity to this ugly development. Parliamentary intervention by the possessors of political acumen is sometimes what we need to unravel administrative sophistry. Nigeria needs the wisdom of its lawmakers to pull it out of this abyss of self-immolation. There may also be need for Nigerian lawmakers to revisit the Oritsejafor arms cash saga.
“We call on Nigerian Muslims to apply caution, decorum and rationalism in their reactions to this development. We advise them to remain law abiding.
“As we take a break, we invite FG to revoke the licence given to Bishop Oyedepo to build an airstrip. This is necessary in order to restore the confidence of Nigerian Muslims in the system, ensure impartiality and bridge the wide gap of mutual suspicion between Christians and Muslims. This airstrip poses grave danger to national security.”
