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The Primate of The African Church, His Eminence, Julius Osayande Olayinka Abbe, has attributed the ongoing crisis in the church to greed, impostors and obsession with power.
But, despite the challenges, Primate Abbe remains optimistic that the issues would be resolved as the genuine church leadership was on top of the situation.
A parallel leadership administration of The African church was recently established with Most Revd Augustine Afolabi Odufuwa, as the leader of the faction.
At a world press conference in Lagos yesterday at the church premises, Abbe clarified the ongoing crisis within the church, attributing it to a group of individuals driven by greed and ambition.
He emphasised that the individuals, including Odufuwa, have resorted to spreading falsehoods and establishing a parallel administration.
According to him, “We established a Reconciliation Committee on May 1, 2025 and we urged them to approach this Committee, presenting their grievances for the sake of peace and unity within the Body of Christ.
“Rather than take the path of peace, they have resorted to blackmail, mudslinging, harassment, threat to life and property, inciting and provocative statements, rebellious acts and the likes.”
He urged the public to note that Odufuwa is not the acting Primate but an impostor who has broken his oath of allegiance to the Office of the Primate.
Abbe said a recent National Conference in Calabar reaffirmed his leadership and dismissed several high-ranking clerics, including Odufuwa, for insubordination and rebellion.
The Conference, he disclosed further, also elected new officers to run the church’s affairs and appointed protem and honorary officers.
He assured the congregation that the church would continue to thrive under his leadership, warning against impostors and troublemakers.
Part of the statement read: “It is disheartening to witness the current impasse in our Church, a foremost indigenous Church in Nigeria.
“Despite our efforts, the issue persists and it is demoralising to see our brethren resort to spreading falsehoods through the media.
“Initially, we chose to ignore their actions to preserve the image of our Church. However, we realised that our parishioners and the public need to be protected from their misinformation and be informed of the truth.
“The fact remains that this rebellious group has consistently demonstrated an unholy attitude, refusing to change.
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“Those familiar with our Church’s history will recognise that these individuals have caused trouble for previous Primates, including Solomon Olayiwola Babawale Oyawoye, Abraham Onadotun Olumuyiwa Onanuga and Emmanuel Josiah Udofia.
“These power brokers believe the Primate should take instructions from them, dictating the direction of the Church.
“Their recent press release attributed the current crisis to the 2018 conference election, yet they omitted that their own members in 2018 told us what happened then was right but woke up to sing a new tune after six years.
“Our observation is that this group consistently prioritises their own interests, seeking to impose their will on the Church.
“At our 2023 executive meeting in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, they voluntarily submitted to a vote on the screened list, only to be defeated.
“This realisation that they were no longer popular in the Church marked the beginning of their efforts to disrupt the peace and frustrate election efforts.
“We urge the public to understand that these brethren are not motivated by concerns for Church planting, doctrine or evangelism.
“Their sole focus is to secure offices, titles and authority within the Church, neglecting spiritual programmes and often engaging in unbecoming behaviour.
“On Sunday, they arrived late to church services and subsequently convened at alcohol joints, indulging until evening.
“They even brag that major decisions of the Church such as appointment of persons into high offices of both the clergy and laity are discussed and determined at these alcohol joints.
“They declined to attend the Primate’s legitimately convened meeting on May 1, 2025, instead opted for an illegal gathering.
“This led to the establishment of parallel administrative organs, wooing ministers and laities to their cause.
“At their meeting, they appointed The Most Rev. Augustine Afolabi Odufuwa as acting Primate, tasking him with performing all constitutional rights of the Primate.
“Many were perplexed, wondering if the substantive Primate had resigned.”
