Dr. Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, has publicly explained his decision to decline a ₦30 million donation from the Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, during a recent crusade held in the state.
The revered cleric made the clarification during his sermon on Sunday at the Dunamis headquarters in Abuja, asserting that his decision was driven by a personal conviction to keep his ministry free from political or governmental influence.
According to Enenche, his refusal of the donation was not an act of defiance or personal slight against Governor Idris, but a continuation of principles he has upheld consistently 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 told his congregation.
The cleric went on to recount previous situations that highlight his long-standing stance on the issue. One such instance occurred in 2014, during a pilgrimage trip to Jerusalem alongside former President Goodluck Jonathan and other Nigerian dignitaries.
Enenche recalled that after the trip, a board chairman attempted to present him with an honorarium, which he promptly declined. “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 said.
He noted that even when President Jonathan attended services at Dunamis on multiple occasions, he never made or received any financial gestures. The same principle, he said, applies to the construction of the church’s global headquarters. “Government funds are not in this project, not one naira,” he emphasized.
In addition, Enenche shared another anecdote involving former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, and a close childhood friend who, after assuming a ministerial post, offered him a vehicle. He turned that offer down as well. Each of these cases, he noted, reinforces his commitment to remain untainted by funds that might compromise his ability to speak the truth, especially to those in power.
“I don’t want to touch any dime of government money,” he said, warning that doing so might endanger the prophetic integrity of his ministry. Enenche said the ability to confront wrongdoing and hold leadership accountable would be compromised if the ministry ever relied on government patronage.
He stressed that his independence allows him the clarity and courage to be a moral compass in the nation, adding that such a role must not be influenced by financial entanglements. He argued that the moment the Church begins to depend on political leaders or government resources, it risks losing the authority to critique injustice and corruption.
This unwavering stance, while often misunderstood, is a reflection of what Enenche described as his deeper calling — to remain a voice of truth without fear or favor.
What you should know
Dr. Paul Enenche’s refusal of a ₦30 million donation from Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris reflects a personal and institutional policy of rejecting government funds to maintain the independence and prophetic credibility of his ministry.
He believes that accepting such money could compromise his ability to speak truthfully and critically to those in power.
