26th February, 2013
Pastor Samuel Kayode Abiara spoke to FUNSHO AROGUNDADE on the crisis within the Christian Association of Nigeria, corruption and why Nigerian pastors live big
What informed the recent annual pilgrimage to Odo Owa in Kwara State?
First and foremost, we want people to know that Odo Owa is the ancestral hometown of Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, the founder of Christ Apostolic Church, CAC. Apart from that, there are also a lot of religious history and landmarks associated with this town that everyone needs to discover, especially the particular mountain where Baba Joseph Babalola used to pray while he was alive. And on this mountain, several miracles happened. About five years ago, God revealed to the authorities of the CAC to gather people in that same town to pray for peace, particularly for Nigeria. It used to be a day programme, but this year, it was made a three-day affair with a theme: Call Me In The Day of Trouble.
During this pilgrimage (Wednesday, 20 to Saturday, 23 February 2013), people are expected to visit the mountain to pray and with strong faith, God will solve their problems.
What is your reaction to those who said Nigeria is never short of revivals and prayers, yet the country is sinking each day?
In actual fact, there are some who have also confronted me that with the amount of prayers by churches like CAC and Mountain of Fire and Miracles, we were not supposed to have any evil person remaining in Nigeria. But I always use the Bible to explain to them that in the end time, different strange things will be happening and until Jesus comes, we will continue to experience those problems. There are, right now, various problems and disasters in different parts of the world. But as it concerns Nigeria, if not for prayers of the righteous, this country would have collapsed since. The continuous prayers and revivals by all the churches, including the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Winners Chapel, Mountain of Fire and Miracles, Cherubim and Seraphim, Celestial Church of Christ and the CAC have helped ward off those dangers that would have wrecked this country. And we would keep praying until all those who are causing problems in this country change their ways.
But let me assure Nigerians that as God revealed to me in my 2013 ‘Message To The Nation’, we should not worry or panic at all. God said in spite of those challenges of war, diseases or terrorism as being witnessed in other countries like America, Japan, Syria or Iraq, nothing of sort will happen to us in this country.
But towards the end of last year, you prophesised that Boko Haram would be a thing of the past in this country very soon…
Yes, that is true. But is it too late now? Prophet Isaiah prophesised the coming of Jesus Christ and it only came to pass 800 years after. I am not saying we are going to wait for such a long time, but the prophesy will soon come to pass. That is why we haven’t stopped praying and fasting for this country. Take for instance before the 9/11 crisis, I was in America about a week to the incident and God revealed to me that something terrible that would shake the President of the United States would happen. Some people who were in the congregation where I made that revelation would still recollect. I said no matter what, it would happen, but the country would overcome the challenges later. And it happened. But who would have known that America would overcome that terrible 9/11 crisis within a spate of 10 years? Britain also had similar challenges and they too overcame it.
Nigerians should not worry as we will also overcome whatever challenges are facing us in this country by God’s grace. Whether it is the spate of bombings or kidnappings, it is just a matter of time, we will come out of those challenges. God has revealed to me that we should not let our heart be troubled, as those who move close to God will enjoy the peace of the Lord. But those who wage war against the country through corruption and other evil deeds will be struck by the anger of the lord.
Part of the problem is the issue of corruption which requires no spiritual solution…
To some extent, I agree with you. In fact, some time, I sit down and wonder why some people would be so heartless, diverting to their personal accounts, what should be used for the development of their communities or states. I feel dazed, reading of billions of naira stolen by some politicians and civil servants amidst grinding poverty in a richly blessed country as ours. These people are simply possessed by the spirit of the devil. Many of them are so wicked that the stolen money is not even kept here in Nigeria, but stashed in some foreign accounts abroad with their families not privy to the details. Once they die, the money will naturally belong to those countries. This is money that should have been used to provide employment for thousands of jobless graduates. It is sheer wickedness, but that should not stop us from praying for them to have a change of heart.
Prior to the 2011 elections, you were very well in support of President Jonathan’s election. Having won the election, he seems to have disappointed a lot of people. Do you feel the same way?
Nobody can please the world. When the late President Umaru Yar’adua was there, everyone was complaining that he was too slow. Before him, Obasanjo was being derided for different reasons and now it is the turn of President Jonathan. It is just natural that human beings are so difficult to please. When it rains, we complain of flood and when the weather becomes too hot, we talk of dehydration. Human beings are naturally just like that. President Jonathan is trying his best, it’s just that the enormity of problems on ground makes it look as if nothing is being done. Don’t misquote me, I am not a Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Labour or Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN symphatiser, but the truth must be told, he is trying his best and Nigerians must be patient with him. We all want a magician who will fix the problems overnight but that is not possible.
How would you react to the assumption that many of you pastors who are so close to these politicians, hardly tell them the truth?
That is not true. Let me give you an instance. I don’t envy any of these leaders. There is hardly anyone of them who would want to make an island of himself. These leaders are surrounded by different advisers, both good and bad.
And in most cases, these bad people are in the majority. And some of these leaders can’t afford to be dictatorial or else they could be sabotaged. With this understanding at the back of your mind, you’ll discover that you can only advice and watch. There were instances when I shared ideas with some of these leaders, they would listen and promise that they would take action. Getting to their meetings, different shade of opinions by advisers will change what good plans they already nursed. That is why these days, I have refrained from making public statements but quietly keep praying for those leaders. And I prefer it that way. Jonathan is someone I know very well, but I don’t go to his house or wait in his office for any form of appointment. The CAC authorities enjoin us to pray for the nation and every government in power whether good or bad because that is even what God expects of us.
What is your take on the internal crises rocking the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, vis-à-vis the Catholic Church’s decision to break up relationship with the national body of CAN?
It is so unfortunate. At least, if there is any form of misunderstanding, the best way to resolve that as a body is to come to the roundtable to iron out the differences amicably. The Bible enjoins us in the Book of Isaiah to come together and reason together. Thank God for the Catholic Church, they have been in the position of leadership of CAN for so many years. How come it was when we had a Pentecostal as head of the association that the thought of pulling out cropped up? It is uncalled for. If they have any grievances, we should all sit down as body of Christ to sort them out. Nevertheless, there are many respected men of God within the Catholic Church who would not just sit back and allow any disintegration to happen in CAN.
Part of their reasons is the issue of extravagant lifestyle, including a controversial private jet, bought for Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.
With every sense of modesty, I would say owning a private jet is not a big deal to any minister of God. If you consider the busy schedules of many pastors and hours they spend travelling across the globe, owning private jet or helicopter to ease their movement should not be seen as any form of extravagance. People should even see it as a glory to Christendom. That the President of CAN has a plane shouldn’t be tagged extravagant, given the fact that it was bought for him. Honestly, I don’t know why such gift from people who appreciate God’s kindness and His grace in the life of Pastor Oritsejafor should attract such criticisms. This man has spent over 50 years serving the Lord and some people who might have been blessed through his ministry decided to bless him in return.
In the book of Exodus, God said give offering to my ministers, and you are to accept my offering from every person whose heart moves him to give. So if anyone comes up to bless me with helicopter as I am set to celebrate my 50 years in the ministry later this year, do they expect me to reject it? Honestly, I can’t reject such gift, it is an evidence of God’s glory.
What about the perceived rapport between Pastor Oritsejafor as CAN President and the Presidency?
We should all understand one thing that there is no way Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, as the leader of the Christian Association of Nigeria, will antagonise the President of the country. Apart from the fact that it is not civil, we are not supposed to be up in arms against the leaders. Oritsejafor is the leader of the Christian faith in the country and must establish a good rapport with all leaders in the country. We are all men of peace as our father, Jesus Christ, is the prince of peace. We must pursue peace in all our endeavours no matter the situation.