Cash for arms: Pro-Oritsejafor group wants security chiefs probed

The Northern Christian Youth Solidarity Movement for Emancipation, Justice and Self Determination, has condemned what it described as campaign of calumny against the leader of the Christian community and President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor over the $9.3 million botched arms deal in South Africa involving a private aircraft allegedly owned by him describing it as reprehensible.

The group called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order an investigation of the personalities charged with national security during the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to ascertain the truth.

The organisation recommended that if found guilty after the probe, the perpetrators should be punished in line with the law.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the northern Christian group, Mr. James Gani, also regretted the orchestrated attempts to bring Oritsejafor into public ridicule, “because of his consistent inclination to speaking the truth notwithstanding whose ox is gored.”

Gani said, “We demand that those saddled with the responsibilities of security matters of the nation in the last administration should be called to explain what they know concerning the South African drama and botched arms deal, rather than trying to rope an innocent man of God.

“The Buhari’s administration should investigate those who have control over arms purchase and the people charged with the responsibility of ensuring security during the last administration because their office contrived such a high wired intrigue. So for anybody to call for the probe of Ayo (Oritsejafor), is the height of mischief. In the first place, he not a member of Jonathan’s cabinet”.

According to him, “Nigerians are no fools and will not allow themselves to be fooled by those who seek to strike the Shepherd just in order to get to the sheep; those embarking on the campaign of calumny against Oritsejafor should retrace their steps.

The statement further said that Oritsejafor proudly takes responsibility for defending the rights of the Christian community and those of the less privileged, and can never be cowed by the activities of cheap popularity seekers.

Read also: Confusion trails refund of $15m cash for arms

According to Gani, his organisation has watched with dismay the campaign of calumny by certain individuals and group of persons against the CAN President because of his uncompromising stance and quality leadership for the Christian community in Nigeria.

“Now, the question here is why? Who is afraid of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and is hell-bent on creating a false perception of him? Who has taken an oath to stain the unblemished integrity of an innocent man of over four decades of ministering? Is it not obvious that it is because of his stand for truth and for his number one constituency the church?”

Gani called on Nigerians not to allow themselves to be misled by those who make political capital from tarnishing and tainting the impeccable character of the Christian leader with a view to possibly decimating his support base and hitting directly at those whom the cleric has fought all his life to defend.

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