11th October, 2024
PRESS RELEASE:
WITHDRAW OYEDEPO AIRSTRIP LICENCE – MURIC
An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim
Rights Concern (MURIC), has kicked against the licence given to Bishop David
Oyedepo for an airstrip. The group argued that it was a dangerous precedent particularly
in a nation ridden with religious crises and large-scale insecurity. It
therefore demanded the withdrawal of the licence. The group also called on the
National Assembly (NASS) to wade into the matter.
The demand for the withdrawal of the licence was
made in a press statement issued on Friday, 11th October, 2024 by
the Founder and Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The statement reads:
“The Federal Government (FG) confirmed two days
ago that it has granted a licence to build an airstrip to Bishop David Oyedepo
of Canaanland, also known as Winners Chapel or Living Faith Church (https://punchng.com/fg-confirms-oyedepos-canaanland-airstrip-approval/).
“We
strongly condemn this action. It is not only reckless and thoughtless, it is
also insensitive and provocative. It is a dangerous precedent. This should not
be happening in a multi-religious society laden with religious crises and large-scale
insecurity. This licence must be revoked with immediate effect. It is
interesting to note that the licence is already generating controversy because
it is a threat to national security.
“Going down memory lane, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor
was caught in South Africa with a plane loaded with cash amounting to $9.3
million. He admitted to the South African authorities that the money was meant
for the purchase of arms (https://saharareporters.com/2014/09/15/arms-smuggling-jet-caught-10million-south-africa-linked-can-president-ayo-oritsejafor;
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/168224-can-president-oritsejafor-admits-ownership-of-cash-stacked-jet-seized-in-south-africa.html?tztc=1).
“Official coverup was later provided by the
Jonathan-led administration when the government of the day claimed that FG was
aware of the arms deal (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/fg-defends-9-3m-cash-seized-s-africa-releases-data-transaction/).
“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 (https://saharareporters.com/2014/11/23/revealed-nigerians-aboard-pastor-oritsejafors-jet-smuggled-93-million-south-africa).
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.”
#RevokeOyedepoAirstripLicence
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Founder/Executive Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).