Apostle Johnson Suleiman has finally released a statement concerning his attempted arrest earlier this morning by officials from the Department of State Security (SSS),
the church management has issued a press release concerning the situation.
The
statement jointly signed by Dr. Sule Emmanuel, senior pastor, OFM South Africa
Churches and Director of Media (OFM Worldwide) and Barrister Samuel Amune Esq, Coordinator,
OFM Legal Team Worldwide, reads;
Typical
of a tyrannical government, while the man of God was in Ekiti State–Nigeria for
a crusade which held at the Ekiti State Pavilion, the government of President
Buhari ordered two truck-load of fully armed DSS officers to forcefully arrest
the man of God, but the people and the government of Ekiti-State overwhelmingly
resisted the arrest.
This
country was founded on the principles of equality before the law and justice.
There should be strict adherence to the Spirit and Letters of our Constitution
and nobody should be treated as a common criminal. As the country belongs to
every one of us irrespective of religion, sex and social status.
All
over the world, no responsible government ever makes religious leaders their
object of attack, but they would rally round religious leaders to see how to
forestall any crisis and foster unity. History has shown that when you make
religious leaders objects of attack, the repercussions are very grave.
All
these self-sacrificing philanthropic gestures are not directly or indirectly
funded by the church, but directly from Apostle Johnson Suleman’s private
resources and from his several business interests.
We
are hereby calling on the Nigerian government to put a stop to senseless
attacks on Christian leaders, especially Apostle Johnson Suleman. These are leaders
and beacons of hope whose integrity and teachings have kept this country in
unity and consistently given hope to millions of Nigerians faced with hunger,
neglect, abuse and ill-treatment from the government they optimistically voted
into power.
We
will like to inform the government of Nigeria that Omega Fire Ministry has
numerous branches of her ministry in over 51 nations, (with over 500,000
membership in Nigeria alone) and all our National churches have been mandated
to take our protest letter to the Nigerian Embassy in all these nations, and to
inform the government of the respective nations of the despotic and tyrannical
approach of the government of President Buhari to Christians and Christian
leaders in Nigeria. We also make bold to say that we shall employ all means
whatsoever legally permissible to seek redress and defend ourselves and our
Apostle should the Presidency continue this senseless attack. It is
unacceptable that the killers of the people are not being arrested, but
respected men of God are made object of attacks by the institutions of
government.
We
like to unequivocally state that Apostle Johnson Suleman believes in the
progress and unity of Nigeria, and this will remain the core of all his
messages. However, no intimidation from the government will stop him from
speaking the truth to the government, and standing in defense of the
defenseless.
We
believe that the greater and brighter days of this country are very close-by,
and God in His judgment will surely displace the enemies of his people,
regardless of how highly placed they are.
Apostle
Johnson Suleman will continue praying for the good of Nigeria, and for the
Almighty God to guide her leaders’ right.
God
bless Nigeria.”