The United States Embassy to Nigeria has denied reports that it declined the visa application of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners’ Chapel International.
Thisday had reported that the cleric was denied a visa, a report which went viral on social media.
However, the US Embassy, in a tweet on Friday said, “False news alert! Be advised, the reports making the rounds about a visa being denied to Nigerian Bishop Oyedepo are false.
“If you have seen this manufactured item in the media, help defeat this misinformation by communicating to everyone that it is completely false.”
Meanwhile, Winners Chapel has also denied reports that Oyedepo was denied a visa.
In a statement on Friday, Chairman, Editorial and Media Board, Winners Chapel, Prof Sheriff Folarin, debunked the report, stating that Oyedepo had not visited the US Embassy since last year.
Folarin said, “The Mainstream and online media (not The PUNCH) spaces this morning (Friday) were abuzz with the news that Bishop David Oyedepo was denied an entry visa to the United States on Thursday, January 30, 2020.
“We wish to put it on record and categorically submit that this piece of information is not true. At no time was the Bishop denied a visa, nor did he create a scene at the US Consulate in Lagos, as purported by some mainstream and online newspapers.
“The bishop renewed his visa last year without any initial denial or drama, or scene. The Bishop was not at the embassy or consulate yesterday or even anytime this year. Bishop has been in Canaan Land all through this week. The last time he applied for a visa, which was last year, he was issued without delay.”
He stated that Oyedepo was a good friend of the US Government and had a very good relationship with US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria.
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