Gospel Epistle has recently gotten wind of the alleged closing or delay – as the case maybe – of the worship service at the Aso Rock Villa Chapel on Sunday, August 30, 2015 by armed personnel who claimed to acting on ‘orders from above’. In addition to this, we have also learned that this is not the first time that such an event is happening since the present administration led by President Buhari, took over power from the former. About two months ago, the children’s worship centre at the villa was also said to have to have been shut down under the same ‘orders from above’. When the Presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu, was approached for comments on the matter, he neither confirmed nor denied the occurrence of the event. In his exact words, he said;
“What you are telling me is news to me. I am not aware of this issue. There is a lot we are dealing with and I hope you are aware the church was handed over to Vice President Osinbajo. So please call Prince Laolu Akande, his spokesman to confirm this issue”
There have been mixed reactions from the general public on the emergence of this truly bizarre piece of news. While some are not surprised at this latest development, others are rallying behind the president and urging others to do the same. But of the different reactions, one that I find most fanatical and amusing is the ones that say, “Please do not tarnish the image of the president. The men simply said they were acting under orders from above. No one said the order came from the president himself”.
The reason I find this reaction funny is that the chapel in question was handed over to Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, the vice president of the federation. The second most powerful man in the nation. Second only to one man. If the order came from above him, then it could only have from one man, or putting it rather accommodatingly, from one office. This is not rocket science, it is simply common sense.
This unfortunate turn of events amounts to a slap on Christendom. Whether Children Church or Adult Church, that is grossly inconsequential. A designated worship center is a sacred place of worship. Seeking to take it out of the precincts of the villa or as reported, far from the residence of the President, can only be reasonably interpreted to mean intolerance of the Christian faith.
Gospel News Africa does not mean any disrespect to the person or the office of the President. This piece was not put together to slight any person, government or faith. The Presidency is respectfully called upon to clarify on this issue and desist from further plans in this regard, if any, as no reason would be justified enough to assuage the strong feelings of segregation, apartheid, and governmental exclusion that are appearing to be the norm in the current administration against Christians and ethnic minorities.
This is SUPPOSED TO BE a democracy.
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Source : GospelNewsAfrica