Politics
Poll Results: Should churches open their accounts for scrutiny? See how Nigerians voted
Recently, the issue of how much regulation government should have over nonprofit bodies like churches became a matter for public discourse, when a new regulation by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of Nigeria threw up a lot of controversies.
The new regulation also led to the resignation of Pastor Enoch Adeboye as the Nigerian overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) arguably one of the biggest churches in the country, with membership in the millions, and branches spread across the country, and abroad.
As a fall out of his resignation, political intrigues began to play out, as his ‘supporters’ within the government did not take it lightly with the regulatory body that came up with the new law.
This ostensibly led to the sacking of the secretary of the FRC, Mr Jim Obazee, whom unconfirmed reports say was adamant about not withdrawing the new law.
As was to be expected, government suspended the new law right after the sacking of Obazee.
However, debates began to fly about the propriety or otherwise of the need to scrutinise the finances of organisations set up as non profit bodies.
Read also: JOIN THE SURVEY: With N3.9bn budgeted for Aso Rock Clinic, should Buhari seek medical care abroad?
This prompted Ripples Nigeria to take out a poll on just what Nigerians think is the best approach to the issue.
A good number of Nigerians are of the opinion that there is the need for non-profit bodies like churches to make their financial activities more open.
The question: Should churches open their accounts for public?, drew well over two thousand comments on social media with Nigerians seemingly on both side of the divide as to whether or not government should exercise more regulatory influence on churches.
In the poll, 52.3 per cent of respondents answered yes, with many comments noting that such churches that have branches outside the shores of Nigeria subject themselves to government regulations, and keep their account books open for scrutiny.
They therefore wonder why the reverse should be the case in Nigeria, especially since the public are the ones who donate the funds.
On the offside, 43.8 per cent of respondents voted no, with some comments pointing out that the church is a spiritual body that should not be subjected to worldly, or government regulation, or control.
However, 3.8 per cent of respondents were undecided and voted thus.
The poll, which was well promoted on social media, reached well over 500, 000 Nigerians, and attracted votes from 577 respondents, with thousands of comments, and contributions.
RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears
Join the conversation
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.
INVESTIGATION: In Kwara, multimillion-naira milk processing plant is abandoned, converted to a chicken outlet
After the government spent millions of naira to establish a milk processing plant in Kwara State that would provided jobs...
SPECIAL REPORT: For Sokoto communities, promise of healthcare is akin to death sentence
In this story, ABDULRASHEED HAMMAD delves into the dire realities of Primary Health Care services in Sokoto State, shedding light...
ICYMI…SPECIAL REPORT: NNPCL hides behind PIA to frustrate disclosure, accountability
Nigeria’s major oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), in what appears to be a common practice of disregard...
INVESTIGATION: Multi-million naira Ekiti resort center remains uncompleted a decade after
The multimillion-naira project, expected to comprise recreational buildings, now consists of cassava farmland, a bush used for excretion, and a...
SPECIAL REPORT: Torturous experiences of students with disabilities in Oyo tertiary institutions
For students with disabilities in Oyo state-owned tertiary institutions, learning is a torturous and distressing experience, considering the building structures...
Margret Dickson
January 21, 2017 at 10:42 am
The first problem of Nigeria as a country is religion! I expected over 80% of the respondents to vote in support of government scrutinizing churches’ accounts. But, here we go, some ‘block-heads’ still voted no. Churches are making money from the public, the public should care how the monies donated are being spent. Our pastors cannot be living flambouyant lifestyles with their family members while those contributing and donating money to church live puppet life.
Joy Madu
January 21, 2017 at 11:40 am
Those who voted “no” understand that no one should venture to attack a church doing because it is sacrilege.
Animashaun Ayodeji
January 21, 2017 at 10:46 am
This result shows people are ready to die poor and remain ignorant until kingdom comes. Most Nigerians are already turning into ‘S.U’ and have obviously been brainwashed by their pastors. Any organisation making money should be scrutinised by the government, be it public, private and in fact ‘not-profit’ making bodies.
Balarabe musa
January 21, 2017 at 11:49 am
Religion is not something anyone should plunge into for scrutiny.
Mosques and churches and even shrines are holy and sacred.
Religion predates government, so government should respect that. Money made in religious organizations are not forcefully taken from the donators or contributors. It is not tax, government should hands off from religious activities. The only duty of government is to ensure there is peaceful religious associations.
seyi jelili
January 21, 2017 at 12:18 pm
Gbam. You have spoken my mind.
I see no any concrete reason why churches account or finances should be subjected to public scrutiny. Can anyone ask how president buhari spends his salary?
JOHNSON PETER
January 21, 2017 at 12:36 pm
First baptist church all over the world always make a pamphet to shows all what the churches generate every month and some others do that too, so I dont get this unnecessary debate.
chichi emerue
January 21, 2017 at 12:38 pm
That is true, even CAC I attend does that too. Or may be they want churches account to be integrated into TSA.
Roland Uchendu Pele
January 21, 2017 at 6:20 pm
The Church is not what the world think it is. If only they knew that we are not of this world, we’ll all learn how to approach matters concerning deity.