The Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Paul Enenche, has explained why he refused a N30 million donation offered by Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, during a recent church crusade held in the state.
Speaking to his congregation at the Dunamis headquarters in Abuja on Sunday, Pastor Enenche made it clear that he follows a personal rule: he does not collect money from government leaders or political figures, no matter the amount or intention behind it.
He said, “For some people, that may be a surprise because they don’t know who we are. But for those who know us, that’s no surprise at all. That’s how we’ve lived, and that’s what we’ve stood for.”
According to Enenche, this decision was not about Governor Idris in particular but about sticking to a standard he has followed for over two decades.
He noted that he wants to maintain his freedom and independence when speaking about national issues or leaders. For him, staying away from government funds helps him do that without fear or conflict of interest.
He shared another story from 2014, when he was part of a government-sponsored trip to Jerusalem with former President Goodluck Jonathan.
On returning to Nigeria, he was offered money as a token of appreciation by the organisers. “By the time we returned, the board chairman brought an offering and said this is their honourarium to me for going. I said no,” he recalled.
Enenche also noted that even when President Jonathan visited the church, no money was exchanged. He proudly stated that no government money has gone into any part of the church’s building projects, including their massive headquarters structure.
“Government funds are not in this project, not one naira,” he said firmly.
He also shared how he rejected a car gift from a childhood friend who later became a government minister. Likewise, he turned down offers from former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.
“I don’t want to touch any dime of government money,” Enenche said, adding that keeping his hands clean gives him the boldness to speak openly and honestly with those in power. He noted that staying financially independent has been an important part of his ministry’s values from the beginning.
