Two human rights groups; the Odua Nationalist Coalition (ONAC) and the Nigerian Human Rights Community (NHRC) have pledged support for the General Overseer of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations, Prophet T.B. Joshua since the collapsed building incident of September 12, 2014 in which many persons, including foreigners perished. In separate press releases issued and signed, both groups urged the Federal Government to expedite action in unraveling the real cause of the building collapse for which a coroner’s inquest had since been constituted by the Lagos State Government. According to the release by its National Working Committee and signed by the duo of Mr. Adewale Adeoye(National Chairman) and Mr. Popoola Ajayi (Publicity Secretary), the pan-Yoruba group posited, “We are left with no room but to conclude that the attack was planned. There have been a series of evidence by experts showing that the collapse of that building was an extra-ordinary affair, there is the need for international investigators to show interest in this case.” The group stated that the attack on the church might be a product of international and local conspiracy. According to ONAC, for two decades, Pastor T.B Joshua has dedicated his life to the service of mankind. “He has dedicated his life to the service of good for the greatest number. He has brought glory to his people, he has brought grace to the Yoruba Nation, he has brought pride to Nigeria, Africa and the black race. “Across the whole world, Pastor Joshua has become a giver of life. He has been spreading love and affection, providing food for the hungry, clothing for the afflicted and even to the extent of rehabilitating the dregs of the society like armed robbers and commercial sex workers.” In the same vein, the Nigerian Human Rights Community,(NHRC), s coalition of 135 civil right groups has stated that the failure of the government to release the report suggests a string of cover-ups which strengthens the growing public perception that the collapse of the building was as a result of a bomb attack by yet to be identified people. According to NHRC, “The federal government and the police owe Nigerians and the world the urgent need to get to the root of the matter. Many Nigerians now think that the building may have been brought down through bomb attack, it is imperative to allay the fears of the public”. The statement signed by the NHRC Executive Secretary, Mrs. Feyisike Adeoye and the Vice Chairman Northern Zone, Mallam Yaya Abdulkadir stated that the attack undermines the freedom of worship as entrenched in the Nigerian constitution. End.
