By Mike Adeyemi
Christian clerics in Kwara State have called on the Federal Government to review the Companies and Allied Matter (CAMA) Act.
The CAMA Act 2020 which was recently assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari gives government the power to remove the board of trustees of churches without recourse to the court.
A cross section of clerics who spoke to our reporter in the issue, in Ilorin, yesterday said the Act is inappropriate for churches.
In his reaction, the Senior Pastor of Glorious Height Church Chapel, Pastor Amos Ajayi described the proposed regulation of churches by the government as ‘unfortunate step’.
According to him, “Government has no spiritual mandate to direct the church of God.’
“Spiritually speaking, the church of God is built on the pillars of holy spirit. And if anybody would bring anything different from the spiritual aspect of our life, it is therefore not for the church.
“The whole religion as you can see has the spiritual pillar and government doesn’t have such a pillar.
“I think the best thing our government can do is to get a different way of making laws for the church. I don’t think subjecting the church of God to Corporate Affair Commission directives is right,” the clergy stressed.
Also reacting, the Senior Pastor of Holy Ghost Harvests Church, Sawmill, Ilorin, Rev (Dr) Yinka Adedokun said CAMA as an Act of Parliament, is not in itself a bad piece of legislation as it would curb extravagant lifestyle of some church owners, who amass wealth at the expense of their impoverished members.
“Yes. My reaction on the issue of CAMA is on these one- man church founders. Calling an outsider to regulate the church is an abuse. How do you call a Muslim to come and manage the church.
“Though some pastors are reckless, flaunting jets and exotic cars at the detriment of their congregation who are wallowing in penury, I think that is what the government is trying to regulate.
“However, is that not the beginning of suppressing Christians. If you subject Christians to such a financial scrutiny, what of the Muslims?,” Adedokun queried.
Also, Evangelist Timothy Ogundele United Missionary Church of Christ (UMCA), Asa-Dam Road said the plan by government to subject churches to its regulations is improper.
“I think the position of the government to subject the financial activities to the approval of the CAC is improper. It would rather take the house of God backward.
“This was the same tactics by the government then when they took over the mission schools across the country. What has become of the standard of education today after the takeover of mission schools by the government.
โWhat is clear is that the Federal Government must tread with caution and do as not to be seen to be suffocating the religious bodies and Non-Governmental Organisations or societies,” he submitted.
