Supporters of Delta-based cleric, Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, on Tuesday, embarked on a protest rally to the office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The placard-wielding protesters, including some bishops, called on NAFDAC to desist from what they call an attack on Fufeyin, who is the spiritual leader of Christ Mercy Land Delivery Ministries in Asaba.
NAFDAC had on Sunday called on Nigerians to stop patronising spiritual products, such as miracle water and oil, being offered for sale by the cleric.
According to NAFDAC, the cleric falsely claimed that his spiritual products were certified by NAFDAC.
The NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, in a statement on Sunday, declaimed Fufeyin’s spiritual products, such as Miracle & Healing Water, and River Jordan Water, among others.
But the protesters, who took to the streets of Asaba on Tuesday, insisted that NAFDAC had no oversight on spiritual products.
The protesters, who defied the downpour in the city on Tuesday, carried placards bearing different inscriptions, such as “Spiritual products have spiritual backing, don’t need NAFDAC approval’; and ‘When it comes to spiritual matters, respect them,” among others.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Charismatic Anglican Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Prof. Samuel Baaba, cautioned NAFDAC against attempts to regulate spiritual products.
Baaba said, “We are men of God and we are here in solidarity to send a message to NAFDAC to refrain from its steps over spiritual matters.
“NAFDAC does not have a right to regulate spiritual products. There is a limit to what people can do, especially when it comes to matters of faith.”
Also speaking, the Rector, Union Theological Institute and Seminary, Port Harcourt, Most Rev. Calixtus, said, “To the best of my knowledge and which I have read through the NAFDAC Act, 2004, if there is an amendment, I don’t know, where it could regulate spiritual product.
“NAFDAC doesn’t have right to declare the products fake when it never tested the product. NAFDAC should stay out clearly; what is wrong with the water?”