Founder of Christ Apostolic Church, Agbala Itura and retired General Evangelist of the CAC,
Abiara in a statement made available to Church Times on Monday, September 7 was reacting to the issue of the Company and Allied Matters Acts and the various challenges in the country..
While expressing support for the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria on the steps taken so far concerning the Act, Abiara said, “I want to advise all citizens and all those in power to be watchful of their utterances in politics, religious matter or any issue concerning the nation because everything you say will be on record, either good or hate speech.”
He reminded those in power that no position is permanent declaring that what they say concerning “any issue in government particularly about the current Companies and Allied Matters Acts amendment on Religious organization, shall be noted. Leaders should not forget that during any crisis in the country, it is the religious bodies that pray for the country day and night for peace. They should be mindful and not forget that the citizens brought them to power.”
He expressed surprise that the CAMA issue is generating so much heat noting that the country is already passing through a difficult phase. “Right now we are battling with Kidnapping, Boko-Haram, Hunger, Famine, Herdsmen, Ritual Killing, Rape and Communal Clashes etc. We should not add more crisis to what we already have on the ground.” He said.
He said what should be paramount in government now should be the issue of security, not the issue of monitoring Religious bodies. “What we need in Nigeria now is peace and tight security.” He said.
While urging the government to be very careful in handling spiritual matters, he said, “When it comes to Spiritual matters, the government needs to seek advice from both the Muslim and Christian leaders in the country. Anything that is not acceptable to the Religious organizations, government should withdraw immediately.”
He then called on the federal government and the lawmakers to set in motion the machinery for a quick review of the offensive part of the Act. “We will advise that the government should come to a-round-table-talk with the Religious organizations and not to allow words that can trigger chaos to fly around. Your word will wait for your children in future.” He said.
He observed that Nigerians did not benefit anything as it were from the government during the pandemic unlike what obtained in the developed world.
Abiara then warned, “Those in authority must be careful not to fight against God who put them in power. They should be very careful because they don’t know if their children will also be in the position of power in future.”