Pastor Paul Enenche, who leads Dunamis International Gospel Centre, has explained why he refused a N30 million donation from Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris. The offer was made during a recent church program in Kebbi.

Speaking to his congregation in Abuja, Pastor Enenche said he has always followed a rule of not accepting money from the government. He believes that this helps him avoid being influenced by any political leaders.

He said the rejection was not a sign of disrespect to Governor Idris. Instead, it was simply part of the values he has lived by for over 20 years. Those who know him well understand this decision.

To prove this point, he shared other examples where he turned down similar offers. In 2014, he went to Jerusalem with then-President Goodluck Jonathan and other leaders, invited by the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board. He paid for the trip himself and refused the honorarium offered to him afterwards.

Pastor Enenche also mentioned that President Jonathan visited his church a few times while he was in office, but there was never any exchange of money. He pointed out that the entire church building was done without one naira of government money.

He gave more examples, saying he also refused gifts from former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and even from a childhood friend who later became a minister. That friend offered him a vehicle, but he turned it down too.

He said the main reason he refuses government money is because he wants to be free to speak the truth to those in power. Accepting such gifts, in his view, could make him feel pressured not to speak out.

In his own words, he said he does not want to have anything to do with government money. He believes doing so might stop him from carrying out his duty to speak boldly and truthfully to leaders.