Pastor Paul Enenche revealed he rejected a ₦30 million cash gift from the Kebbi State governor to maintain his long-standing stand against using public funds.
The senior pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Paul Enenche, has explained why he rejected a ₦30 million donation offered by the governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, during a recent healing crusade held in the state.
While speaking during a Sunday service at the church’s headquarters in Abuja, Enenche said his decision was based on his personal commitment to keep his ministry free from political or government financial support.
He made it clear that the rejection was not meant to insult the governor, but that it followed principles he has held for more than 20 years.
“For some people, that may be a surprise because they don’t know who we are. But those who know us, that’s no surprise at all. That’s how we’ve lived, and that’s what we’ve stood for,” he said.
To prove this was not a one-time decision, Enenche mentioned past examples. He talked about a 2014 trip to Jerusalem with former President Goodluck Jonathan and other government officials. He said he paid for his own travel and refused any honorarium given to him afterward.
“By the time we returned, the board chairman brought an offering and said this is their honorarium to me for going, I said no,” he recalled.
He also mentioned that even when President Jonathan worshipped in his church several times, there was no financial involvement. Speaking about the construction of the church’s main building, he added, “Government funds are not in this project, not one naira.”
Enenche also shared a story about a friend from childhood who offered him a car after becoming a government minister, and another about former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom. He turned down both offers.
The pastor said he avoids accepting money from public sources because he wants to remain free and able to speak the truth to leaders without fear.
“I don’t want to touch any dime of government money,” he said, explaining that such money could damage his calling as a prophet.
The ₦30 million offer came during the two-day crusade held in Birnin Kebbi from June 17 to 18. The governor’s commissioner for social welfare and empowerment, Zayyanu Umar, announced the donation on stage.
“Our governor…has therefore graciously approved the donation of the sum of 30 million naira to this gathering…he doesn’t leave without bringing that donation in cash. So before I leave this stage, I want to present that sum of 30 million naira in cash,” the commissioner said.
However, Enenche refused the donation and suggested that the money should be used for a charitable cause instead.
“If there’s anything like orphanage…you may apply this amount…No. It will not be received,” he stated firmly.
