Oritsejafor, Oyakhilome, Joshua: Let God be judge, group tells Nigerians

(Nigeria) The Nigerian Women in Clergy, WIC, a faith-based women group, has expressed concerns over the spate of criticisms surrounding Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Prophet TB Joshua and Pastor Chris Oyakhilome by some Nigerians.

President of the group, Mrs Nonnie Robertson in a statement in Abuja on Monday, said they were worried about the kind of comments made by Nigerians about the activities of the three clergymen, urging Nigerians to rather reflect more on issues plaguing the country.

“We have observed with great concern the manner in which Nigerians are overtly engrossed in various scandalous cases involving some prominent leaders in the body of Christ. This is the time for serious intercession for the country. Nigeria is at a crossroad, the power tussle is more spiritual than political.

``The body of Christ is under attack physically and spiritually worldwide. We must focus on the issue at hand,” she said.

According to the statement, WIC refered to the marriage ignominy of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome; the $9.3m arms deal involving the private jet of CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; the Synagogue building collapse saga and many others.

The statement said it was not in any man’s position to pass judgment on the three clergymen and therefore called on Nigerians to desist from making such comments.

“Nigerian Women in Clergy have added their voices to the ongoing crisis plummeting churches and men of God in Nigeria, by calling on God to take control of the several allegations flying around His servants.  Nigerians should tread the path of caution by allowing God to judge his own case instead of dragging the body of Christ in the mud.

“While we do not condone or approve of any of the cases, we urge Christians to desist from judging these pastors as God will judge them eventually,’’ she said.

It said the group was not speaking in defence of the clergymen in question but that it felt some of the comments were directed towards the church rather the persons concerned.

On the controversial $ 9.3 million seized in South Africa, the group urged for caution and called for a thorough investigation rather than scandalising Oritsejafor.

“We must not allow the dust of the allegation stain our relationship with God as a nation. Pastor Ayo is a man of God; he knows God and will always know the position of God if he has erred, so let’s leave him, God and the authority to handle the matter,’’ the statement said.

On Joshua and Oyakhilome, the group said: “As provocative and disturbing as what they were said to have done may be, we cannot at this juncture draw conclusion, as our wisdom may fail us.  Nigerians ought to leave the matter to God who will adequately attend to them at his appointed time.”

It said Nigerians already had a lot of challenges confronting them and should not create extra problems that would sap their energies, time and resources.

The statement called on Nigerians not to be consumed by the problems but to prepare for the forthcoming elections by ensuring that they participate actively in activities leading to the polls.

The statement also decried the spate of killings in the country in the name of insurgency, kidnapping, ritual killing and many others.

``On the situation of things in the country we are not oblivious of the deterioration that has characterised our beloved country in almost every facet of our polity.  The spate of wanton shedding of innocent blood is unprecedented, our women and girl children are raped indiscriminately.

``We must always engage and operate in spiritual warfare and advocacy, having been mandated to raise our voice for the voiceless woman; we will continue to advance against the wickedness in the land,” the statement added.