President Goodluck Jonathan, today, visited the troubled preacher, T. B. Joshua whose Synagogue Church of Nations collapsed in Lagos last week killing over 80 people, including over 60 from South Africa.
“My coming here is to express condolences to Prophet Joshua, the Synagogue of all Nations (his church) and of course the bereaved families,” President Jonathan said.
His support for popular preacher TB Joshua is seen as threatening the diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and South Africa. The South African government has already expressed dismay at the Nigerians’ reluctance to criticise the church for what looks like shoddy construction work.
South Africa has called for an investigation into the collapse, in which it says 84 South Africans, comprising three church groups that were on tour and staying in the guest house, died. The Nigerian emergency services put the confirmed death toll at 80.
Joshua and his supporters say the collapse was an “attack” somehow linked to a mysterious aircraft they claim flew over the building before it went down.
T.B. Joshua’s church draws thousands of followers from all over Africa and many other parts of the world, attracted by claims that he and his “wise men” can cure almost any affliction by “casting out demons” they say are responsible for everything from madness to HIV/AIDS to normally irreparable spine damage.
The regular influx of visitors from abroad for church services that can last up to a week creates demand for accommodation that the church’s own guest house has been unable to meet, and often spills over into local hotels.
Analysts say Nigeria’s megachurch leaders are so influential that few politicians dare upset them, especially just before a national election, which Nigeria is due to hold in five months.
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