A group, The Northern Christian Youth Solidarity Movement For Emancipation, Justice And Self Determination has decried what it described as campaign of calumny against the leader of the Nigerian Christian community and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, describing it as reprehensible.
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, James Gani, the group regrets the orchestrated attempts to bring the Cleric to public opprobrium because of his inclination to speaking the truth notwithstanding whose ox is gored, adding that only the undiscerning and gullible may be deceived by such cheap antics.
The statement added that Oritsejafor proudly takes responsibility for defending the rights of the rights of his number one constituency which is the Christian community and those of the less privileged, and can never be cowed by the activities of cheap popularity seekers.
The group which accused Oritsajefor’s traducers of acting out of mischief, described their activities as completely indecorous and in very bad taste and wondered what they stand to gain.
“Who is afraid of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and hell-bent of creating a false perception of him? Is it not obvious that it is because of his stance on truth and for his number one constituency – the Church?”
The group said it had decided to speak up to prevent the cleric being run down by his sworn opponents.
It 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.
“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” they said.
According to the statement, Oritsejafor has done so much for the country and should be celebrated and highly prized rather than ridiculing his person and work.
Gani listed the advocacy against the scourge of Boko haram, as among the commendable leadership role by the cleric.
“It is on record that at the inception of Boko Haram, while many Nigerians were still confused, and information on the origin and status of Boko haram scanty and distorted, Oritsejafor in faraway United States of America addressed the US Congress Men and Women not minding the stance of the then Federal Government on the need for international attention on not only the leadership and activities of the organisation but its sponsors. His declaration at that occasion that Boko haram is a Terrorist Organisation was not welcome there and here in Nigeria. Today, Boko haram has not only been classified as a terrorist organisation in Nigeria but worldwide with linkages to other terrorist organizations in the world like the so-called Islamic state (IS), al -shabab, al-huthi rebels, al-qaeda, Taliban, jabhat al-nusrah, Islamic front, seleke, etc”, the statement added.
It counted Oritsejafor among the few men who, over the years, have lived above board and therefore have had the courage to address the powers that be in light of what is truth, just and equitable.
“Few men have lived in this country that had the courage of Pastor Oritsejafor in addressing national issues with such boldness looking straight in the eyes of any one and calling a spade by its name”, it stressed.
In apparent reference to the botched arms deal involving a private aircraft owned by the Pastor which was on lease at the time, the group said the Federal Government owed him an apology for creating the circumstance in which his name was being dragged in the mud, adding that the scandal is still being used as a subject of smear campaign by those who have vowed not to rest until they have him destroyed.
The group roundly condemned the call by some persons for Oritsejafor to be probed, describing their agitation as preposterous and shameful.
“It is only one who is delirious and who has been blinded by hate that can make such a call since it is known as a matter of fact that the Pastor has never held government appointment either directly or remotely. What then is the logic in the call for a probe?” the group noted.