Reasons have been given why the Nigerian government discouraged the late Prophet TB Joshua to relocate out of the country.
The revelation follows a horrifying documentary that detailed alleged cases of s*xual abuse, dehumanization, torture etc.
Insiders say the Church has been of immense benefit to the social and spiritual lives of Nigerians, while the government lauds it for its tourism attraction.
The BBC investigation into allegations of sexual assault, physical abuse, fabricated miracles, against the late prophet and founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, has continued to trigger mixed reactions among many.
There has however, not been any recent reaction on the part of the Nigerian government. This is in spite of calls on President Bola Tinubu to clamp down on the Church.
The Nigerian government’s last statement about late TB’s ministry was in 2017 when the then Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, begged the cleric to reconsider his decision to relocate from Nigeria.
Lai Mohammed said at that time that such a move will not be in the best interest of the country.
TB Joshua had announced that he would relocate from Nigeria to Israel due to the “hostile environment”.
The cleric was quoted as saying: “This is the most persecuted ministry in the world. Who are the people persecuting the ministry? My people, Africa.
“That is why I choose to live a lonely life. If you want to see me, come to this church. I don’t go out. It has not been easy – because I don’t know who is a friend or who is an enemy.
“If you learn TB Joshua is not around, I am in a revival. I live in the church here. I don’t have a house outside.”
“What happened to me from the beginning of my ministry is enough to chase me out of this country.
“But I am still in your midst. Upon the persecution and hatred, I decided to follow the path of love. You show hatred; I show love.
“When I go for a revival, you will see the stadium full but I am not carried away by that. I leave where I’m celebrated to live where I’m persecuted.”
But Mohammed in a chat with journalists during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) in 2017, described Joshua’s decision as unfortunate.
Mohammed called for dialogue between the pastor and the authorities over whatever challenges he was facing.
His words: “That will be very unfortunate in the sense that if he does move out, it will affect our tourism in Nigeria.
“Pastor Joshua is an important person, he must bear with us. This is his country; if he moves out and go to South Africa, for example, the revenue will go to South Africa.
“It is better that Pastor Joshua sits down with the relevant authority and resolves whatever problem he has. If I have access to him, this is exactly what I am going to tell him.”