Founder of Agbala Itura and ex-General Evangelists of Christ Apostolic Church, Prophet Samuel Abiara has denied rumours making the round that he is dead.
Abiara who spoke with Church Times on phone Tuesday said he was shocked when news got to him that he had passed on wondering where the news came from.
He said he was in Lagos when people started calling him to confirm if truly he was dead, urging Nigerians not to pay attention to idle talks and unconfirmed stories.
Abiara who recently paid a visit to Mrs. Evelyn Joshua; widow of the late Prophet TB Joshua said his rumoured death had nothing to do with the visit.
He said those who carried the reports were just being mischievous. “I went to commiserate with the widow of late Prophet TB Joshua because the Bible commands us to mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice. Besides the late prophet was doing great work when he was alive. He did the work of Jesus. I have not done wrong by going to visit him.” He said.
While confirming that some people were against the visit, he said, “Nobody has come to confront him to tell him it was wrong going to visit the family of Prophet TB. Joshua.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria is not against TB Joshua as being widely reported. The fact that some of the leaders have not gone to greet him does not mean they are against him. That some people are against him does not mean he was a bad man.”
Abiara who will 79 on August 8 said those who cooked the fake story about his death should fear God adding that not all people have a heart of forgiveness.
“I have forgiven them, but they should be careful not to fall into the hands of those who won’t forgive them,” He said.
He urged journalists to take the pain to confirm reports before they begin to peddle it. “I wonder why somebody will just wake up and decide to publish something bad about a person. There are lines of communication that could be explored. Why are they not exploring them, if they are not set for mischief,” he said.
On whether he is terminally ill, he said, “No, not at all. I am hale and hearty. I am not sick. Nothing is wrong with me. The rumour mongers are just set on mischief.”
His son, Pastor Isaac Abiara in a statement has however asked that the purveyors of the news should retract and pull it down from their websites if they don’t want legal action to be taken against them.
