An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has kicked against the licence given to Bishop David Oyedepo to build an airstrip at Canaanland, the headquarters of his Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners Chapel, in Ota, Ogun State.
Government approval for the private airstrip was announced by Oyedepo on October 7, 2024 during a special service at Canaanland.
He said the construction of the airstrip at would commence promptly and would be fully financed by the church, reflecting Living Faith Church’s commitment to self-reliance and infrastructural development.
The Bishop, who founded the church, said the airstrip is expected to streamline travel for worshippers and guests, particularly during large-scale events such as Shiloh, the church’s annual convention.
He said: “Our members can now land and park their aircraft at Canaanland, enabling easier access for worshippers and guests from across the country and beyond.”
He added that the airstrip would allow members to travel directly to the church’s premises without first reaching a major airport.
But in a swift reaction in a press release issued on Friday by its founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC argued that the airstrip approval was a dangerous precedent particularly in a nation ridden with religious crises and large-scale insecurity.
MURIC, therefore, demanded the withdrawal of the licence.
It said: “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.
“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.”
Akintola recalled how Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor was once caught in South Africa with a plane loaded with cash amounting to $9.3 million.
According to him, “He admitted to the South African authorities that the money was meant for the purchase of arms.
“Official cover-up was later provided by the Jonathan-led administration when the government of the day claimed that FG was aware of the arms deal.”
The Muslim leader said: “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.
“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 religiosity 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.”
The group also called on the National Assembly (NASS) to wade into the matter, saying, “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.”
