Cleric condemns N6b alleged bribe to Christian leaders

THE Archbishop of Anglican Communion of Kaduna Diocese, Bishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, has condemned the alleged N6 billion largesse given to the Christian community by the Presidency to support President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election. 

   He said clerics who partook in the sharing of the money that passed through the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) should come out publicly to confess to God and the entire Nigerian Christian community.

   Bishop Idowu-Fearon, who said that the allegation must not be swept under the carpet, explained that this was because, “there is no smoke without fire, and I thank God the allegation is not against the Anglican Church.”

   Addressing journalists Monday, shortly after service of collation of archdeacons of the diocese, the bishop said there was nothing wrong with an offender to make confession after committing an offence in order for God to forgive him or her.

   The bishop’s admonition to those involved in the N6 billion scandal came as he also pointed out that President Jonathan was surrounded by bad advisers who were only hypocritical about the true situation in Nigeria without telling the President the real truth about the progress or retrogression of the country.

   Besides, the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi had recently alleged that President Jonathan gave pastors across the country N6 billion to vote against the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), retired Major General Muhammadu Buhari in the general elections.

   Amaechi’s allegation subsequently caused uproar among the clerics, with the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the Northern State Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF), asking the governor to name the church leaders who collected the money.

   However, Bishop Idowu-Fearon insisted yesterday, “If you accused me of sleeping with your wife, and it is true, I should be able to confess to God first before confessing to human beings. So those who collected the money should make confession to God and to the Christian community.

   “But if it is not true, I should ask God to forgive you, it is good to be humble and ask God for forgiveness whenever you go wrong.”

   Meanwhile, the bishop urged members of the congregation to vote for the right candidate during the forthcoming elections, saying, “If you vote for a wrong candidate, you have committed a sin.”