Group Denounces Attacks On Christians And Pastor Oritsejafor, Says It Is Reprehensible
A group, The Northern Christian Youth Solidarity Movement For Emancipation, Justice And Self Determination has decried what it described as campaign of calumny against the leader of the Nigerian Christian community and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor describing it as reprehensible.
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, James Gani, the group regrets the orchestrated attempts to bring the revered Man of God into public opprobrium because of his consistent inclination to speaking the truth notwithstanding whose ox is gored adding that only the undiscerning and gullible may be deceived by such cheap antics.
The statement further said that Pastor Oritsejafor proudly takes responsibility for defending the rights of the rights of his number one constituency which is the Christian community and those of the less privileged, and can never be cowed by the activities of cheap popularity seekers.
The statement reads,
“We have watched with dismay the campaign of calumny by certain individuals and group of persons against the person and personality of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor because of his concern, stance, and quality leadership for the Christian Community in Nigeria and his determination to always toe the path of truth regardless of whose ox is gorged.”
The group which maintained that some people have apparently committed themselves by oath to stop at nothing until they have destroyed the unblemished record of integrity which the man of God has labored to build over several decades of his walk with God, described the situation as completely indecorous and in very bad taste and wondered what the traducers stand to gain.
“Now, the question here is why? Who is afraid of pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and is hell-bent of creating a false perception of him? Who has taken an oath to tan the unblemished integrity of an innocent man of over four decades of ministering? Is it not obvious that it is because of his stand for truth and for his number one constituency the church?”
The group said they have decided to speak up because “we can no longer keep quiet and allow an innocent man to continue to be ridiculed just because of his faith and his resolve to stand in the gap and speak for his constituency and the less privileged in our society.”
They called on Nigerians not to allow themselves to be mislead by those who make political capital from tarnishing and tainting the impeccable character of the Christian leader with a view to possibly decimating his support base and hitting directly at those whom the Man of God has fought all his life to defend.
“Nigerians are no fools and will not allow themselves to be fooled by those who seek to strike the Shepherd just in order to get to the sheep” they said.
According to the statement, Pastor Ayo has done so much for the country and should be celebrated and highly prized rather than seeking to deprecate and vilify his good work. Among the numerous leadership role played by the Servant of God, they say, is his unequivocal advocacy against the scourge of Boko haram.
“It is on record that at the inception of Boko haram, while many Nigerians were still confused, and information as to the origin and status of Boko haram was scant and distorted, Pastor Ayo in far away United States of America addressed the US congress Men and Women not minding the then stand of the Federal government of Nigeria on the need for an International eye and a clampdown on not only the leadership and activities of this Foreign Terrorist Organisation but their sponsors. His declaration at that occasion that Boko haram is a Terrorist Organisation was not welcome there and here in Nigeria. Today, Boko haram has not only been classified as a terrorist organisation in Nigeria but worldwide with linkages to other terrorist organizations in the world like the so called Islamic state (IS), al -shabab, al-huthi rebels, al-qaeda, Taliban, jabhat al-nusrah, Islamic front, seleke, etc.”
They described Pastor Ayo as one of the few men who, over the years, have lived above board and therefore has had the courage to address themselves to the powers that be in light of what is truth, just and equitable, no matter how highly placed they are.
“Few men have lived in this country that had the courage of Pastor Ayo in addressing national issues with such boldness looking straight in the eyes of any one and calling a spade by its name.”
In apparent reference to the botched arms deal involving a private aircraft owned by Pastor Ayo which was on lease at the time, the group said the Federal Government owe Pastor Ayo an apology for creating the circumstance in which his name was being dragged in the mud and which is still being used as a subject of smear campaign by those who have vowed they would not rest until they destroy the Man of God.
The group roundly condemned the call by some persons who it described as enemies of the Nigerian state for Pastor Ayo to be probed saying it is as preposterous as it is shameful. It is only one who is delirious and who has been blinded by hate that can make such a call since they know as a matter of fact that the Pastor has never held government appointment either directly or remotely. What then is the logic in the call for a probe? They queried.
While they called on those who have toed this ignoble path to retrace their steps forthwith, they insist that the sacrifices that the Man of God has made for Nigeria, for the Christian community and especially for the northern Christians can never be forgotten or diminished. According to the group the only one that need to be probed on the botched arms deal is the former National Security Adviser whose office contrived such a high wired intrigue.
“May we also say unequivocally that all the sacrifices Pastor Ayo has made for the Northern Christians and Nigeria even before he became president of CAN, regardless of how they have decided to twist things, can never be forgotten by those who know the truth and peace loving Nigerians”
“Our advice therefore is for them to stop their campaigns of calumny against this Man of God. In this political dispensation, we must all join hands as citizens to, not only fight corruption, but also come up with policies that are capable of rewriting the history of this nation by positioning it in the comity of nations of the world economically. To us, anything outside this will not be acceptable and we believe that other well meaning Nigerians who are interested in the development of this country and its people will agree with us. It is said that wise counsel, when heeded, saves the wise”