Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria.
Consequently, police was compelled to lock up the
church premises.
Vanguard gathered that the church was turned
into a battle field, yesterday morning, as two
pastors and their supporters fought over who
should take control of the parish.
Crisis of factionalisation of the Assemblies of God
Church had been lingering for more than three
years as two persons, Professor Paul Emeka and
Dr. Chidi Okoroafor, are each laying claims to the
leadership of the church, a position known as
General Superintendent, a matter that is currently
before the Supreme Court.
ama started when one of the pastors, Rev.
Nathaniel Udeze, came with letters of posting and
other court documents as part of preparations to
be installed as the new pastor at the parish.
He was promptly resisted upon arrival with his
team of supporters.
Leading the opposition was current resident
pastor of the parish, Reverend Amaechi Agbo, who
along with his supporters, also vowed not to allow
Pastor Udeze take over, accusing him of being an
“intruder.”
Nathaniel Udeze, came with letters of posting and
other court documents as part of preparations to
be installed as the new pastor at the parish.
He was promptly resisted upon arrival with his
team of supporters.
Leading the opposition was current resident
pastor of the parish, Reverend Amaechi Agbo, who
along with his supporters, also vowed not to allow
Pastor Udeze take over, accusing him of being an
“intruder.”
The incoming pastor Udeze, said to have been very
furious, insisted that he had been officially posted
there by the leadership of the church under Rev.
Paul Emeka.
He also insisted that Rev. Agbo had been
transferred to another parish since May 2015.
Howver, Rev Agbo disagreed, insisting that he was
still in-charge of the parish as he was yet to be
formally written by Rev. Okoroafor’s leadership of
the church, which he recognised.
Factional Sunday Schoolfurious, insisted that he had been officially posted
there by the leadership of the church under Rev.
Paul Emeka.
He also insisted that Rev. Agbo had been
transferred to another parish since May 2015.
Howver, Rev Agbo disagreed, insisting that he was
still in-charge of the parish as he was yet to be
formally written by Rev. Okoroafor’s leadership of
the church, which he recognised.
Trouble started as early as 7a.m., when
supporters of both pastors arrived and started
sharing different versions of Sunday school
manual in preparation for the main service.
When the factional pastors arrived, the situation
broke down completely as the pastors started
shoving each other and shortly afterwards,
members of the two factions engaged in fisticuffs.
Divisional Police Officer, Dennis Ayara, who later
arrived the scene, made frantic efforts to bring the
situation under control through negotiation, but to
no avail.
The police, therefore, cordoned off the church and
put it under lock, while the leaders of the two
factions were asked to report to the station.
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