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  • Beware of Boko Haram, Oritsejafor warns

    Beware of Boko Haram, Oritsejafor warns

    THE President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has advised Nigerians to be conscious of the activities of the Boko Haram sect during the festive season.

    Oritsejafor said CAN was optimistic that insurgency would soon become a thing of the past, urging Christians and other Nigerians to pray for the country’s peace and unity.

    The cleric, who spoke in a statement, said: “On behalf of my family and the national executive of the CAN, I greet fellow brothers,  sisters and Nigerians and also felicitate with them with great joy, on the occasion of Christmas.

    “Once again, we find ourselves at the end of another year that has seen all kinds of difficult situations, important questions and challenges, but also signs of hope – both in the church and in our society.

    “It has indeed been a year of mixed fortunes – for individuals, for the Christian family, other faithful and the society.

    “We have seen the extremes of fundamentalism and terrorism, natural disasters, disease epidemics and other forms of societal challenges – all in the course of the year.

    “Importantly and typical of the dogged Nigerian spirit, we have sailed through these trying times to the very moment we have found ourselves in today.

    “The greatest news in the midst of these challenges is that of hope and the promise of better times ahead of us, which is the message of Christmas.

    “The great joy with which families all over the world, including Nigeria, welcome the season of Christmas should be allowed to permeate through the fabrics of the society.”

    Oritsejafor urged Christian faithful to reflect on the happenings of the year, especially those moments that threatened the foundation and existence of the nation and work towards inspiring a positive change.

    His words: “Christmas comes with peace, love, sacrifice and hope for a better future and these should be the preoccupation of all faithful during the celebrations. Faithful should never spare a moment to reflect on these virtues, even as they eat, drink and make merry.

    “Eating chicken, turkey and drinking wine often characterise this season, but equally important at this time should be the virtues of peace, love, sacrifice and hope, which should be the fulcrum of Nigeria’s progression into the New Year. Our actions, attitudes and entire body language in the coming year must reflect these three virtues.

    “With love, the less-privileged are cared for; with peace, key actors of conflict will be inspired to lay down their arms; and hope brings on the spirit of a new Nigeria; so ultimately these virtues could together make the difference in 2015.

    “Nigerians must realise the fact that the true essence of this celebration lies in the sacrifices that we make in the interest of a better and more prosperous Nigeria. This season is one that inspires sacrifice, which gives hope to the down-trodden in our midst.”

    According to him,  Nigerians must not “lose sight of the challenge of securing their environment even as they rejoice during the celebrations; we must all be security conscious and assist constituted authority in securing our property.”

  • Xmas: Beware of Boko Haram – Oritsejafor

    Xmas: Beware of Boko Haram – Oritsejafor

    The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, on Wednesday, advised Nigerians to always be conscious of the activities of the Boko Haram sect during the festive season.

    Oritsejafor in a statement he personally signed said CAN is optimistic that insurgency will soon become a thing of the past.

    He urged Christian and other Nigerians to pray for peace and unity in the country.

    The statement reads in part: “On behalf of my family and the national executive of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), I greet fellow brothers and sisters and indeed all Nigerians and also felicitate with them with great joy, on the occasion of Christmas. Once again we find ourselves at the end of another year that has seen all kinds of difficult situations, important questions and challenges, but also signs of hope, both in the Church and in our society.

    “It has indeed been a year of mixed fortunes – for individuals, for the Christian family, other faithful and the entire society. We have seen the extremes of fundamentalism and terrorism, natural disasters, disease epidemics and other forms of societal challenges, all in the course of the year. Importantly and typical of the dogged Nigerian spirit, we have sailed through these trying times to the very moment we have found ourselves in today. The greatest news in the midst of these challenges is that of hope and the promise of better times ahead of us, which is the message of Christmas.

    “The great joy with which families all over the world including Nigeria welcome the season of Christmas should be allowed to permeate through the fabrics of the society. As we celebrate the solemnity of Christ’s birth, I urge all faithful to reflect on the happenings of the year especially those moments that threatened the foundation and existence of our nation and work towards inspiring a positive change in our world. Christmas comes with peace, love, sacrifice and hope for a better future and these should be the preoccupation of all faithful during the celebrations. Faithful should never spare a moment to reflect on these virtues even as they eat, drink and make merry.

    “Eating chicken, turkey and drinking wine often characterize this season but equally important at this time should be the virtues of peace, love, sacrifice and hope which should be the fulcrum of Nigeria’s progression into the New Year. Our actions, attitudes and entire body language in the coming year must reflect these virtues. With love, the less privileged are cared for, with peace, key actors of conflict will be inspired to lay down their arms; and hope brings on the spirit of a new Nigeria; so ultimately these virtues could together make the difference in 2015.

    “Urge all faithful to use this auspicious occasion of Christmas to re-establish their relationship with God and mend broken ties with their fellow human beings, Christmas cannot be said to be truly celebrated if this commitment is not kept. Nigerians must realize the fact that the true essence of this celebration lies in the sacrifices that we make in the interest of a better and more prosperous Nigeria. This season is one that inspires sacrifice which gives hope to the down trodden in our midst.”

  • Demolition: Oritsejafor sues Fashola, others

    The president, Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has filed a suit against Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, over alleged plans by the government to demolition his church located in Victoria Island.
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    It was alleged that the state government has the intention of demolishing Word of Life Bible Church, situated in Plot 21E, Abdulrahman Okene Close, off Ligali Ayorinde Street Victoria Island Annex.

    Joined as co-defendants in the suit ‎are the state’s Attorney General, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos state Building Control Agency, Lagos State Physical Planning permit Authority and Lagos State Task force on Environmental Sanitation.

    In the suit instituted before Justice Deborah Oluwayemi of a Lagos High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square,) the Incorporated Trustees of Word of Life Bible Church, prayed the court for an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining the state government from demolishing, destroying, dispossessing or forcibly ejecting the church from the property.

    The church averred that after applying for building plan approval from the respondents and it was not forth coming within the regular period, the claimants through Pastor Orisejafor made due enquires, wrote several letters and held meetings with the former and present governors, Bola Tinubu and Fashola respectively.
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    The claimant argued that in March last year, it received a letter from the defendants directing them to submit some certain documents to facilitate the process of the approval of the building plan which it complied with.

    But while it was still awaiting the building plan approval in order to continue with the building, the claimant said it suddenly discovered that the defendants had pasted a certain contravention notice dated January 20 on its fence.

  • How to end insurgency, by Oritsejafor

    How to end insurgency, by Oritsejafor

    The Centre for Igbo Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has held a memorial lecture in honour of the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe. President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor spoke on the challenges of insurgency at the event. OLADELE OGE (Mass Communication) reports.

    The presence of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, president of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State, last Tuesday, was seen as a blessing by students. Reason: they were itching to get him to speak on his alleged involvement in the botched $9.3 million arms deal in South Africa.

    But, Pastor Oritsejafor, the guest speaker at a memorial lecture in honour of the late Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, organised by the Centre for Igbo Studies, chose to speak on insecurity in the Northeast.

    The event took place at the Princess Alexandria Auditorium.

    Dignitaries, including former  Anambra State Governor Chukwuemeka Ezeife, and National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Chief Victor Umeh graced the event, but all  eyes were on the CAN president.

    As Pastor Oritsejafor stepped out to read his 41-page paper titled: Nationalism and the Politics of National Security: The Christian and the Boko Haram Challenge, there was pindrop silence in the auditorium. Those who expected the clergyman to speak on his ordeal in the failed arm deal were disappointed. He spoke mainly on the activities of Boko Haram in the Northeast.

    In his lecture, Pastor Oritsejafor identified what must be done to find a lasting solution to the security challenges. The nation, he said, must stop the pretence that the Boko Haram insurgency is not a product of religion. He urged the people to continue to pray for peace, adding that the military campaign in the Northeast must be strengthened and made effective by the support of the people.

    He advised the security agencies to step up efforts to bring the crisis to an end and urged the service chiefs to cleanse the military of personnel, who are sympathetic to the Boko Haram’s cause.

    The clergyman, however, said that the war against the insurgents could only be won through effective collaboration between the political class and religious leaders. The CAN president called on Muslim leaders and traditional rulers to devise means to reach out to the grassroots and inform the people on what he called “dangerous ideologies” of the Boko Haram fighters.

    He said the Boko Haram belief was against the tenets of Islam and Christianity. “Our respected Muslim brothers must help to meet the grassroots and build into the heart of the average Muslims on what Nigeria stands for. We have no option but to remain united as one people with diverse ethnic and religious groups, while government on its part must seriously tackle the problem of our porous borders and ensure right people are chosen to secure our borders,” he said.

    Pastor Oritsejafor, who is also the founder and president of Word of Life Bible Church in Warri, Delta State, urged Nigerians to put their political and religious differences aside and forge a common front to fight the Boko Haram monster, which, he said, knew neither brothers nor friends.

    He Nigeria would remain a strong and indivisible entity, despite the divisive activities being perpetrated by enemies of the country.

    Umeh urged Igbo people to see their culture as pride, saying the tribe would gain nothing for abandoning its language for alien languages. He also advised the youth to promote love and work hard to build better future for themselves.

    On the challenges facing the black race and how to restore promote the speaking of local language, Ezeife said the people must unite and exchange idea on how to take Africa out of poverty. He said the good climate, natural resources and presence of vast fertile land for agricultural activities should spur development in Africa rather than crisis.

    In an interview after the event, Pastor Oritsejafor urged citizens to live in harmony, saying promoting peace in the North should be business of everyone, because violence does not ask for religion and tribe.

    He urged the Federal Government to step up efforts to free 219 schoolgirls kidnapped in Chibok in Borno State. When reporters asked about his opinion on the failed arm deal, one of Pastor Oritsejafor’s security aides drove journalists away and said: “You have had enough.”

  • Nigeria ’ll not break up, say Uduaghan, Oritsejafor

    Nigeria ’ll not break up, say Uduaghan, Oritsejafor

    Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, have assured Nigerians that the next year’s election would not break up the country, contrary to predictions.

    Uduaghan and Pastor Oritaejafor spoke at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Jubilee World Festival of Word of Life Bible Church, Warri, which had “Arise 2015” as its theme.

    The governor said: “No matter the external influence, Nigeria will not break up in 2015.

    “There are predictions that Nigeria will break up in 2015, but Nigeria cannot break up in 2015”.

    “2015 is going to be a challenging year. In 2015, a lot is going to happen but, we shall overcome,” he added.

    Uduaghan noted that Nigerians have resolved to remain united as members of a corporate entity, stressing: “We have decided in Nigeria that we shall be one, all the parties in Nigeria have agreed that Nigeria will not break up.”

    He praised the Pastor Oritsejafor and the Word of Life Bible Church for organising the Annual Jubilee Festival, which attracts men of God from different parts of the world, stating that the festival has brought blessings to Warri, Delta State and Nigeria.

    “Papa is the father of all Christians in Nigeria and this fatherhood is one of the most stressful fatherhood; the stress of protecting Christianity in Nigeria, protecting Christians in Nigeria against those who does not wish us well is not an easy one.

    “There has never been a time in the history of this nation that we are where we are today. We should be on our knees and pray fervently for Papa. He needs our prayers and for people who can go beyond prayers, please do what you can for him to succeed in what he is doing.”

    Pastor Oritsejafor, saying “nothing can break up Nigeria”,added that anybody wishing the breakup of the country would not have his desires fulfilled.

    He said that the festival would be sustained annually by God’s grace to win souls for Christ and prepare Christians for the years ahead.

    Delivering a sermon at the occasion, Bishop Wayne Malcolm, who came from London, admonished Christians to always know that God keeps promises, stating that there were three levels of spiritual maturity: title children, young men and fathers, signifying different levels of spiritual maturity.

    “As little children, we ask what can God do for me today. Young men will ask, what can God do through me? While fathers ask, what can God do? It is not about what God can do for me or what God can do through me, fathers are concerned about you,” he said.

  • Fish out saboteurs, Oritsejafor urges military

    Fish out saboteurs, Oritsejafor urges military

    THERE are many people in the military sabotaging the war against Boko Haram, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President  Ayo Oritsejafor said yesterday.

    The military, he argued, would not succeed, if those he described as “bad eggs” are not fished out and expelled.

    Pastor Oritsejafor, who spoke in Abuja at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of CAN, lamented that Boko Haram had taken over the Northeast, with many residents being killed.

    He stressed that the insurgency “is a religious war”, adding that “there are people, even in the international community, who will not want to see Nigeria remain as one. They would do anything to a divide this nation. They would prefer divided Nigeria than a united Nigeria.”

    The CAN president reminded the military that the Boko Haram insurgents were not willing to cease fire until they win or get killed.

    Pastor Oritsejafor said CAN had succeeded in restraining Christians “and we will continue to restrain them.”

    “We need help. We want a nation, where everyone is equal; where everyone respects the constitution”.

    His words: “The way out is that all well-meaning Nigerians must pray and continue to pray. We cannot stop praying because that is all we have. I will not join those condemning our security agencies because they are also Nigerians. It is a terrible situation for them too. But having said that, I want to challenge the military that they can do better.

    “One of the things they must do, which we have been saying for a long time, is to continue to fish out those who are sabotaging their efforts. They are within them (the military) and they must after fishing them out, expel them from all the agencies. They are in all the agencies of the military.

    “This is very vital because no matter the plan the military has, if the military have people within the system that are undermining the system, working against the system, then the system cannot succeed. It is important that what they have started, they should continue and finish in the sense that there are too many people destroying the military formation.”

    Pastor Oritsejafor said he was told that when people start Jihad, they must complete it, “they do not cease fire; they go on with it until they accomplish their goal”.

    He added: “If you listen to what Shekau 1 or 2 or 3 said recently that they will never cease fire; he said they would fight until they either win or they die.

    “The military must know that the people we are dealing with are not people who are looking for a ceasefire. May God help anyone involved in any ceasefire deal. They are too many; they are there. Nigerians, we are hypocrites. We know the truth, but we do not like facing it.

     “What is happening in the Northeast is totally unacceptable to us. The level of madness and killing going on there is unfortunate. Christians are suffering most. We are being killed like goats. We have many churches  burnt down. We hear of pastors, their wives and children slaughtered. Businesses destroyed; homes burnt down.

    “We are not saying other people are not affected, but we are saying majorly Christians are. All the places where these mad men have raised their flags are all predominantly Christian communities.

    “If you doubt it, go and investigate. The latest one is Mubi, they have changed the name to ‘A city captured by Islam’ and tomorrow somebody will tell me that this is not religion. Who is fooling who? Let us as Nigerians stop pretending. We have a serious problem and we have to face the fact that we have a serious problem.”

  • Questions Oritsejafor must answer on botched arms deal

    Reacting to Rev. Chris Okotie’s article on the cash-for-arms deal, which resulted in a diplomatic row between Nigeria and South Africa, an official of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and some government apologists have been trying to make a case for Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor’s innocence over his personal aircraft’s involvement in the botched $9.3 million deal. So, those who have issues with his connections and the arguments being advanced on his behalf by CAN and government are being cautious in the face of possible emergence of incriminating evidence against the clergyman.

    Suspicion of his involvement in the scandal is further reinforced by the refusal of many Nigerians to believe government, his primary defender. After Rev. Okotie and many other critics condemned Pastor Oritsejafor’s action, it is not hard to fathom why the scrawny excuses being peddled to exculpate the pastor don’t seem to hold water. Uneasy, they say, lies the head that wears the crown. The CAN president must realize this fact instead of passing insults on Rev. Okotie over his comments.

    How come the staff of the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other departments of government usually involved in international financial transactions did not ‘remember’ that the authorities in South Africa had to be officially informed?

    Were the necessary forms and documents not filled to cover this transaction? Were these departments not carried along to ensure proper documentation and transparency?

    And if it was contracted out as a private business, why was it government’s duty to charter the plane? Why does government need to assist a private contractor in carrying out his business? Why the secrecy about the identity of the two Nigerians who were on the flight? Has the EFCC or ICPC waded into the issues? More questions than answers.

    The law allows the different forces to procure their arms by themselves. But if the office of the National Security Adviser, which is believed to have signed the contract for the purchase, is directly involved in the deal, then proper security checks must have been carried out on the ownership and safety details of the aircraft. This means the name of Oritsejafor might have come up and they found in him a willing ally, because the aircraft would not have been used if it belonged to a member of the opposition or someone who was not in the President’s good books.

    Would the government have played this kind of game in the United States or the United Kingdom; funneling undeclared funds into other countries to purchase arms in the black market on the excuse that they forgot to notify the authorities? Not very likely. Those countries would definitely not just sweep things under the carpet. All these added to the suspicion.

    There were two aircrafts involved in the deal. One of them belonged to Pastor Oritsejafor while the second was registered by Felix Idiga, who owns Jafac Aviation Limited, the operator of the former’s aircraft. In all this, Felix Idiga, his aircraft and Jafac have barely received a mention. But what is the link between Jonathan, Oritsejafor and Idiga?

    In Nigeria, being this close to the President is tantamount to being in government itself. One thing is sure: government will never proffer details which will make it possible for a honest and independent assessment of the facts involved, and the aircraft operators themselves cannot defend themselves against a field of intelligent questions, for fear of giving away too much incriminating information. The FOI Bill is just what we need here.

    People the world over naturally raise questions about the connections between events and personages. Remember General Buhari, the 28 suitcases and the Umaru Dikko kidnap saga, as well as the IBB government and Dele Giwa’s murder. Public perception of relationships between the foregoing personages and events is in spite of absence of any concrete evidence. Given past knowledge with governments and their comfortable dance with political chicanery, it is hard to believe that the coincidences will not fuel suspicion.

    This is a case of the burden of proof against the shadow of doubt, which does not help in mitigating the force of the suspicion, and making the case for Oritsejafor’s innocence a hard sell. Conventional wisdom stands against this PR spin. Worse still, to have answered Rev. Okotie with his domestic issues, which is common to us mortals, is the height of mischief.

    Pastor Oritsejafor’s calm mien in the face of the storm is not evidence of innocence. No one in his ‘defence team’ has been able to repudiate the allegations and questions postulated from various quarters with even the simplest of logical answers. He should be man enough to come out clean. Too many fingers are pointing at him.

    This sordid affair is the fruit of President Jonathan and Pastor Oritsejafor’s symbiotic and civil, political partnership: Two people who are well aware that they are exploiting each other’s office which offers them a platform for their personal and mutual benefits. Why didn’t Pastor Oritsejafor play buddies with Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo or Umaru Musa Yar-Adua if his intention is to use his ‘good’ Christian position to help the efforts of the President?

    Who says the ruling cabal is not using the hoopla as a bargaining chip to douse the Christian political awakening by bringing their leadership into disrepute? This is politics. These questions arising in different quarters have left this scar open to political infections, so Pastor Oritsejafor cannot simply discountenance the valid worries of the Christian community, no matter how unimportant they seem to him. No true leader will do that.

    Politics is an art of persuasion and Pastor Oritsejafor lacks the requisite skills to tango in the political minefield. He will find out that politicians are duplicitous back-stabbers, and he may yet get his fingers burnt. When you dine with the devil, you use a long fork. This adage has some element of truth in it. The failure to heed this advice is why Pastor Oritsejafor is embroiled in the present integrity conundrum that he finds himself. And the conundrum is thick. This is why I agree with Rev. Okotie that he should quit the CAN job.

    • Adedotun wrote in from Osogbo, Osun State
  • Boko Haram: Military should fish out saboteurs in system – Oritsejafor

    Boko Haram: Military should fish out saboteurs in system – Oritsejafor

    The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, on Wednesday urged the military authorities to fish out those sabotaging the war against Boko Haram.

    He said the military would not succeed in the war against terrorism if the “bad eggs” in the system are not flushed out.

    He spoke at the CAN National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

    Oritsejafor, who lamented that Boko Haram has taken over the Northeast, said, “There are people even in the international community who will not want to see Nigeria remain as one. They would do anything in their power to divide this nation. They would prefer divided Nigeria than a united Nigeria.”

    The CAN boss reminded the military that the Boko Haram sect members are not willing to cease fire until they win or get killed.

    “We have restrained our people so much and we will continue to restrain them. We need help. We want a nation where everyone is equal where everyone respects the constitution.

    “The way out is that all well-meaning Nigerians must pray and continue to pray. We cannot stop praying because that is all we have. I will not join those condemning our security agencies because they are also Nigerians. It is a terrible situation for them too but having said that I want to challenge the military they can do better.

    “One of the things they must do which we have being saying for a long time is to continue to fish out those who are sabotaging their efforts. They are within them (the military) and they must after fishing them out expel them from all the agencies.

    “They are in all the agencies of the military. This is very vital because no matter how the military plan, if they have people within the system that are undermining the system and working against it, then the system cannot succeed. It is important that what they have started they should continue and finish in the sense that there are too many people destroying the military formation.”

  • Falae, Oritsejafor counsel politicians on humility, charity

    Falae, Oritsejafor counsel politicians on humility, charity

    FORMER presidential candidate of Alliance for Democracy (AD) and All Peoples Party (APP) Chief Olu Falae has urged politicians to emulate Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan by imbibing the virtue of humility.

    Falae’s spoke just as the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, also counselled public office-holders to use their wealth to help the needy in the society.

    They spoke at the reception and thanksgiving service in Warri to mark the 60th birthday of Uduaghan.

    The former minister, at a reception at the private residence of the governor, noted that politicians have turned opportunities to serve in elective capacities into achieving self-aggrandisement.

    “Nigerian politicians should emulate Uduaghan in humility. You shouldn’t see an elective office as a means to self-aggrandisement or a thing for which you should see yourself as a superior being. For instance, when you come in contact with some councillors, you will be amazed at the kind of noise around them,” he said.

    Oritsejafor, in his message at the thanksgiving service at First Baptist Church, Off Okere Road, asked the political class to desist from wickedness and take to charity.

    The CAN president also urged Nigerians to love one another, calling on those in positions of authority to empower those, who are less-fortunate.

    “There are people in this country today enjoying what they didn’t work for. The scriptures say the wickedness of the wicked will come to an end. They think there’s no God, but they will know there is God.

    “They do things without considering the God factor; they have made a major mistake.  They will suffer somehow, somewhere. Wickedness is a killer of expectations. If you do wickedness, it will wait for you in the future. If you do wickedness, it will catch up with you and when tomorrow comes, you are left with nothing,” said Oritsejafor.

    Uduaghan, in his brief remarks, said the reason he had always prevailed over his enemies was because of his attitude of giving thanks in all situations.

    “When the judges decided to remove me as governor in 2010, I was in this same church to give thanks and when I was reinstated, I also came to give thanks. So, in any situation, learn to give thanks,” the governor advised.

    The ceremony, which drew eminent dignitaries, was also attended by the state’s three senators, members of the House of Representatives and House of Assembly as well as traditional rulers.

  • $9.3m arms deal: Presidency exonerates Oritsejafor

    $9.3m arms deal: Presidency exonerates Oritsejafor

    ‘He has no case to answer’

    The Federal Government vindicated yesterday the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, in the alleged involvement of his aircraft in the controversial $9.3m arms deal in South Africa.

    The Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan (Public Communication), Dr. Doyin Okupe, told reporters in Abuja that Oritsejafor, the Founder of the Word of Life Bible Church, has no hand in the deal.

    He said: “Most Nigerians do not respect the sensibilities of other people. Oritsejafor is the President of CAN and head of all Christians in Nigeria, who is representing at least, 50 per cent of people in this country. When it comes to a man like that, people should be cautious and circumspect.”

    Okupe advised Nigerians not to play politics with issues of national concern, saying it was not patriotic.

    According to him, the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) did well by telling the truth.

    The presidential aide said it would not be proper for the government to make public its plans on how to tackle insecurity.

    Okupe said: “The linking of Pastor Oritsejafor with the controversial $9.3m arms deal is the most unfortunate thing. To put the very respectable, responsible, honest and sincere CAN President in this matter is the extreme of mischief. It shows what Nigerians can do. They go to any extent to politicise everything. What bothers me is the manner people want to bring down Pastor Oritsejafor on this matter. It is pure absurdity.

    “Oritsejafor has no business in this matter. It is true that he owns the aircraft, but there are over 200 Nigerians, who have jets. Besides those who use them frequently, some give them out to get money and defray costs. If you park your jet, you pay parking charges everyday.

    “He gave the jet to a company to manage. The company is managing it and these people gave out the plane. What has this to do with Oritsejafor? If I have many cars at the airport and decide to give one to a car hire service and he decides to carry somebody having Indian hemp, would you link me with the man who gave it out? Excuse me, this is ridiculous.”

    He also responded to criticisms that the issue went out of hand because government did not speak on the issue before embarking on the adventure.

    Okupe said: “Government cannot share all information about the issues because it is a security matter. It is an issue, which we cannot just bring to the public domain. For goodness sake, we need to have some quiet innocent support. I am surprised that Nigerians want to discuss security issues publicly when a war is still going on.

    “These are very serious national security affairs and running a government is not the same thing as running a Shoprite, where everything is on the table and on display. There is nothing shady about the South African deal and the Office of the NSA has done very well because at the appropriate time, they came in that, ‘yes, this money belongs to us and this was what it was meant for’. That explanation itself was okay. There is no hanky- panky on this matter.”

    He said the second controversial deal had legitimised the first because it was a normal banking transaction.

    “A company was mandated to do a national security assignment for the Federal Government and because of the extant laws in South Africa, that company was unable to deliver its contractual agreement with the Nigerian government. The company wants a refund, which is normal.”