"Arms Deal Was Plotted By Enemies To Tarnish Our Image" — Oritsejafor's Wife Speaks

Helen Oritsejafor, who is the wife of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has spoken out regarding the arms deal scandal surrounding her husband.

Speaking to Nigerian Tribune, she said:

"I was really surprised. I didn't even know anything about it. I didn't even know our plane was out of the country, because we leased it out to a company in Abuja so that we would be able to utilize whatever comes out of the deal for the maintenance of the plane, because it is quite expensive. So we didn't know. Even though we read and heard some comments some people made concerning it, unknown to us that our plane was actually involved. In all honesty, by the time we got to know that it was Papa’s plane, we knew that the enemies were trying to play some pranks. It is natural, because he is a symbol of Christianity in Nigeria. The only thing is I wasn't expecting people to get really dirty as they did.

On if someone was orchestrating it all, she said:

"It’s quite obvious. Take for instance, why was it that it was Papa’s plane that would be hired? It’s still very baffling. It became obvious that it was orchestrated and the whole essence of it is to see how they can give him a name God has not given to him and all because he has been a very outspoken man. I know him too well. He is a very quiet and reserved person. But then when there is a need for him to speak about anything, he would rather confront things the way they are than to hide behind his fingers. I know quite a number of people have been very uncomfortable with that especially with the Boko Haram situation.

On her husband's relationship with President Jonathan, she said:

"I don’t really think that Pastor Ayo is closer to the president than the Sultan of Sokoto, the co-chair of NIREC. This is not to say that Papa hates Jonathan. No he does not. He is a Christian and so as a Christian father to the nation, he tries his best to provide a guide. He speaks out whenever necessary. He goes in to offer his own advice or suggestion as the case maybe whenever he is asked to. When he wants to see the president, he makes request just like everyone else. And mostly, it is to discuss the issue of the nation. Many times, he goes with his CAN executive council members to sit down with the president and confront him on certain issues all to see how the nation can be well piloted.
When he was elected to lead Christians in Nigeria, he made up his mind that he was going to do everything and anything possible to propagate what he has been given. And he sees it as an assignment. He has truly given himself out to the nation and then, of course, to the people who we call his constituents.

SHARE THIS