The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, has urged the Federal Government to withdraw airstrip licenses already issued to Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church, in the interest of national security.
The motion was sponsored by the member representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, Mr Abubakar Gumi. Justifying the importance of the motion, Gumi, who during Wednesday’s plenary, noted that only recently, “The Federal Government, through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the approval of an airstrip for Living Faith Church situated on Canaanland in Ota, Ogun State.”
He further stated that on Sunday, October 6, 2024, “The Founder of Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, during the Tehillah Night special edition at Covenant University Chapel, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, informed his congregation of the approval of an airstrip granted by the Federal Government to his church.”
He then recalled that in September 2014, “a prominent religious leader was linked with a private jet used to convey $9.3m in cash to South Africa for the purchase of arms.
“The private jet which was seized by the South African authorities had two Nigerians and an Israeli on board.
He argued that “The House is concerned that the country currently experiences security challenges through illegal importation/proliferation of firearms and ammunition, importation of illicit/hard drugs, coupled with the inability of our security agencies to pinpoint the source of supply of weapons to insurgents, kidnappers and separatists that have massacred thousands of Nigerians across the country.”
He further argued that “Granting airstrip to private individuals and organisations will aid illegal importation of firearms and hard drugs into the country, thus heightening insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and other vices that are seriously affecting the socio-economic development of the country.”
The House resolved to “Call on the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace to stop issuance of airstrip licence to private individuals and organizations, and also withdraw approvals already granted to private individuals and organizations, with a view to safeguarding national security.”
It further mandated its Committees on Aviation and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.
