The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the House of Representatives’ committees on aviation and legislative compliance to ensure transparency and impartiality in their investigation into the airstrip licence granted to the Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel.
In October, Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, approved an airstrip for the church, located in Otta, Ogun State. However, shortly after, the House of Representatives urged the ministry to suspend issuing private airstrip licences and withdraw those already approved.
Sulaiman Abubakar, a lawmaker representing the Gummi/Bukkuyum constituency of Zamfara State, argued that granting airstrip licences to private entities could enable illegal importation of firearms and drugs, exacerbating security challenges such as insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry. Abubakar cited a 2014 incident in which an aircraft allegedly transporting money and weapons from Nigeria was seized in South Africa.
Keyamo dismissed the lawmakers’ concerns, describing the motion as a “complete lack of knowledge of the aviation sector.” He clarified that private airstrips are handed over to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) after construction, ensuring federal control over air traffic.
In a statement on Saturday, Daniel Okoh, CAN President, defended the church, emphasising that it followed all regulatory requirements to secure the airstrip licence.
“The church stands firm on its commitment to legality and transparency,” Okoh said, urging lawmakers to avoid prematurely linking the church to illegal activities without evidence. He warned that such actions could harm the credibility of both religious institutions and regulatory agencies.
Okoh also cautioned against allowing religious bias to influence the investigation.
CAN encouraged lawmakers to engage in meaningful discussions and avoid rhetoric that could harm relationships between religious communities and the state.
The association reaffirmed its support for measures that bolster national security but stressed the importance of fairness and justice in resolving the matter.
