By Vera Wisdom Bassey and
Favour Onwuka
Pastor Alex Omokudu, the founder of Victorious Pentecostal Assembly (VPA), one of the fastest growing churches in the United Kingdom has called on Nigerians to embrace peace and pray for the unity of the nation.
He spoke on the controversial issue of taxing of religious bodies and said that even though he believes that churches shouldn’t be taxed, Pastors should cultivate the habit of paying tax from their personal income.
What is your perception of the unrest in the country and how can it be mitigated?
It is already written in the Bible and these events are part of the signs of the end time which necessitates the need for us as Christians to stand strong in our walk with God. I believe God can take over this country and those who do not know Him will come to the light.
How do you think the government can solve the issue of the calls for secession by Biafra agitators?
I do not believe we should separate because the country is better as one; our diversity makes the country interesting, having the Igbo, Yoruba and other tribes add beauty to us as a nation. There is the law to put those who want to divide the country where they belong. We all grew up to see Nigeria as a country, so why do we want it to divide? The north is known for producing a good number of the food we consume, while the Igbo are known for business and other regions too have their areas of specialisation. I am very proud of my country and I love my nation. We should pray that God touches the hearts of the president and the national leaders to look towards the poor. Let them listen to the cries of the poor who are dying. This is why I want to come back to Nigeria to impact lives.
The country needs righteous leaders, and those who have the fear of God. Nigeria really needs God because people are battered and when I think of that, my heart breaks for the country. I see people suffering and I cry in my heart. People pass through difficulty, go to school and end up not getting a job. The high rate of unemployment makes my heart bleed.
Since your ministry appears to be doing well, why did you decide to return to Nigeria?
When God called me, if he had asked me where I would want to preach, I would say in my village. I did not know how I got to England. After I left this country in 2002 for the UK, I know Nigerians want what God has embedded in me. I just know that this is the time for Nigerians to know God in a different way. When God calls you, he backs you up. I just got about 40 plots of land in Lekki, I tell you that I do not know how I got the land, and it is just God working. I believe God wants to use me to affect my country because God knows how to use foolish things to confound the wise and to prove himself. And I know this is the time for God to prove himself in Nigeria. If the miracles experienced in Britain are experienced here, then God is proving himself. It is also for the preachers here to humble themselves and see what God is doing.
God who called me has been backing me up so I do not fear challenges. Without challenges, I won’t be here. I love my country and I want to impact my country. Based on what has been happening in London I am not afraid. A criminal case was forced on me and God proved himself that he is with me.
Do you think churches should pay taxes?
I do not believe churches should pay taxes but every Pastor should make a self-assessment of himself. A Pastor should pay tax on the money he is collecting, it is called self-assessment and it is very important.
There has been an increase in rate of domestic violence in the country which has led to separation of families. On what basis should any man divorce his wife aside adultery?
You know one thing about me, I am very open because if I deceive you I am deceiving God. I just divorced and I am very happy but believe me I am against divorce. But when it comes to a case where a woman brings out a knife to stab her husband, I will tell the man to run. Same applies to a woman, when a man is violent and carrying a knife to kill her, at that point she should run for her life. I have already remarried. I did not want to remarry but God said I should get out of it and consoled me. One day a woman came to me during counselling and God said ‘look at her’ and I was like ‘look at her for what?’ I told one of my pastors and he wanted to call her and I said ‘no he should not that if God is the one talking he will talk to her.’ That was how she came later to tell me what God said to her, that she should take care of me and I am still wondering if I am dreaming or if it is real.
How long can a person stay before remarrying?
I do not believe a person should stay for long before remarrying. Any man that stays two to three years before remarrying is committing adultery.