Senior Pastor of the Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has defended former Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, against allegations of displaying religious extremism from Muslim quarters.
Suleman’s reaction followed a letter dated June 28, 2026, issued by one Abbas Jimoh on behalf of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
Jimoh, in the letter, had labeled the revered cleric, Oritsejafor an ‘extremist’ based on an interview the latter granted Channels Television which focused primarily on governance and leadership.
Apostle Suleman, while reacting to Jimoh’s claim, clarified that Pastor Oritsejafor’s television comments only addressed how religious intolerance threatens the lives and property of ordinary Nigerians, describing Jimoh’s assertion as ‘bizarre and malicious’.
Further, the OFM leader stated that the loss of any Nigerian life, regardless of faith, deeply concerns him and other religious leaders.
While calling for self-reflection, Suleman urged the Islamic Council to cease diversionary tactics and instead address why major security threats like insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping are frequently carried out by individuals invoking religious names, as he encouraged Islamic leaders to launch mass orientation programmes to dissociate Islam from criminal elements, rather than stoking religious tension.
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“Let us religious leaders place our primary focus on promoting genuine tolerance to safeguard Nigeria’s fragile peace,” Suleman concluded.
Ibrahim Onipede is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
