President Goodluck Jonathan's bid to 'worship' at
Deeper Christian Life Ministry during the presidential
election campaign hit the rocks as pastorate of the
church outrightly turned down his request, DAILY
POST has learnt.
It was gathered that President Jonathan, who
worshiped in most churches across the country
before the March 28 presidential election, was denied
entry into Deeper Life, when he wrote authorities of
the ministry to inform them of his visit last January.
Jonathan had during one of his visits to Dunamis
International Gospel Centre, Abuja, explained why he
was embarking on 'presidential church tour'.
According to him, "Traditionally, we have the State
House Chapel where I worship every Sunday. If
we do not have the chapel, probably I would have
been here one or two times before this time.
"It is only during the Christmas period, maybe two
Sundays before Christmas and the Sunday before and
after New Year that we sometimes close the chapel,
and allow people to participate in their church
services and that time, I do go round.
"This year, we have decided that from now onward,
until I leave the State House, every last Sunday of
the month, I will go to different churches.
"Yes, that is the State House Chapel presided over
by a chaplain and from time to time other men and
women of God come to preach to us.
"But I feel that it is good for me to go round and
continue to appreciate what our brothers and sisters
have been doing".
However, DAILY POST learnt that the Special Adviser
to Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben
Abata had on January 22, written the authorities of
the church through the office of its spokesman,
Pastor Segun Babatope to inform them about his
visit but the leadership of the church refused to
acknowledge the letter.
According to an insider, when Babatope informed
leaders of the church about the development, many
of them kicked against it, saying that the ministry is
not a platform where politicians come to campaign.
Jonathan was originally billed to visit Deeper Life on
February 8 after leaving Redemption Camp, but he
had to proceed to the Lord's Chosen when he
discovered the church was not ready to welcome
him.
The highly-placed source said the church's decision
to honourably turn down the request was because of
how some sections of media misquoted Bishop
David Oyedpoe of Winners Chapel during Jonathan's
visit to the church.
Oyedepo was quoted as threatening to open the gate
of hell to anybody who campaigned against
Jonathan.
The alleged statement triggered social media war as
many were lambasting the preacher for using his
church to campaign for politicians.
However, Oyedepo denied making such statement.
The source said, "Leadership of the ministry was
very careful not to allow politics or politicians dent
the image of the church or pastor Kumuyi. The
presidency had invited him severally for meetings
with the president, but he would wave it aside.
"When Abati wrote the church to inform them about
Jonathan's visit, precisely January 22, the church
leaders deliberated upon it and decided to turn it
down".
Asked if Kumuyi was aware of the decision, the
insider said, "of course, but he has no final say.
Though he founded the church, he does not decide
how such thing is being handled. He had to allow
leaders of the church to handle it. And when it
became obvious that they were not ready to
welcome the president, Daddy Kumuyi had to accept
their decision".
It was gathered that the president had to leave
Redemption Camp for Rev. Lazarus Mouka's Lords
Chosen in Ijesha when he discovered the church was
not ready to welcome him.
In Chosen, he warned politicians against using
church to campaign.
The President said, "I would not say much because
this is not a good period for those of us who are
contesting for election to talk so much in church. I
do not want to be accused of coming to campaign in
churches because I believe that we should not
campaign in churches. We may discuss with people
but not to use the platform of the church to
campaign".
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