Obasanjo links churches, men of God in Nigeria to high-profile corruption

- Chief Olusegun Obasanjo also advised churches to moderate the way they currently preach about prosperity

- The former president recalled how he gave powers to the EFCC and ICPC during his days in the presidency

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has accused churches in Nigeria and religious leaders of corruption.

Obasanjo said while some churches, like many other institutions in the country, have tarnished their images, the activities of some men of God leaves much to be desired.

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Premium Times reports that while delivering a speech titled: ‘The role of the church in the fight against corruption in Nigeria’, at the convention of Victory Life Bible Church International in Abeokuta, Ogun state, Obasanjo, a retired Army general, said: “There is no doubt that all our institutions have been tarnished by the brush of corruption.

“If the Church, as an institution, does not take bribe or get involved in other corrupt practice, the behaviour of some of our men of God leaves much to be desired.

“They not only celebrate but venerate those whose sources of wealth are questionable. They accept gifts (offering) from just anybody without asking questions. This gives the impression that anything is acceptable in the house of God.

“But if Jesus can chase out those buying and selling from the temple with the declaration that, ‘My house shall be called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves,’ then it is time to stand up against corruption.”

Represented by Femi Olajide, the chapel of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library’s Christ the Glorious King Church, the former president urged churches to lead the light against corruption advising that messages of prosperity be preached with caution.

“Our present day ‘money changers’ and ‘merchants’ must be chased out of the church and put to shame in the larger society.

“While miracles, signs and wonders are the expectations of true believers, such must be based on righteousness. To preach that one can acquire wealth without labour is not only deceitful; it is a call to corruption. It is false preaching and it is sinful.

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“We must be careful in believing and celebrating every testimony of miraculous blessing, hence we end up being hoodwinked into celebrating corruption,” he said recalling how he fought corruption while he led the country between 1999 and 2007.

“The government has tried to contain corruption through the enactment of laws and the enforcement of integrity systems, but success has been slow in coming.

“Legislations alone are not enough as they are often breached by those who make them and those who implement them.”

Meanwhile, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has slammed Nigerian leaders over the troubles that have currently taken over the country. NAIJ.com brings you the video: