I cannot reject aircraft gift –Abiara

General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church, Prophet Kayode Abiara, says controversies surrounding the ownership of aircraft by prominent Christian clerics in the country are not justified.

“If I am given an aircraft as a gift, I cannot reject it,” Abiara said while speaking on the church’s planned prayer session billed for Odo Owa,Kwara State on Wed-Friday next week .

According to him, those who have been criticising the purported extravagant lifestyle of some Christian leaders in the country do not quite understand the scriptures.

He said, “Christians need to understand that the scripture supports receiving gifts. Having a jet or a helicopter, for example, will greatly advance the work of God. It is good for christendom.”

The prophet, who said the controversy in the CAN had been exaggerated, called on the Catholic Church to embrace dialogue because of its importance to the association.

He rose to the defence of CAN leadership, saying it was not true that it had become “too friendly” with the government.

Abiara said, “As Christian leaders, we do our duty by giving advice to the government whenever we can. That does not mean CAN has become an arm of government.

“Because we do not say something bad about the government all the time does not mean we are compromised in any way. I do not collect any money from any government official.”