Church Members Shut Down Nigeria’s Abia North-Central Conference in Attempt to Remove Leadership
27 September 2023 |
A recent article by Pulse Nigeria states that Adventist church members in the Abia North-Central Conference have passed a vote of no confidence against the conference leadership, specifically against President Enyinnaya Uguru and his executive team listed here, citing overextension of tenure. According to church members, the leadership has violated the four-year tenure limit stated in church policy, having held their roles for 12 years.
In an act of protest, church members sealed off the conference building, located in Umuoriehi, Umuahia North Local Government Area, ejecting worshippers and locking the gates immediately following the service on Sabbath. Placards displayed at the gate bore various messages including “Sealed,” “End of an era,” and “We pray for a new era of unity, peace, mission-mindedness and genuine spirituality.”
Godson Chukwuocha, the Leader of the Umuahia/Ubakala/Umunneochi Zone, highlighted that this act is intended to resolve the prolonged leadership turmoil at the church headquarters. He revealed that the congregation involved members from the 17 districts making up the Conference, who collectively decided to pass a vote of no confidence in the executive team, prompting them to vacate their positions immediately due to the expiration of their tenure.
Initially, their tenure, which expired in February, was extended to August by the Union. Subsequent extensions were granted with the expectation that an election would be organized, and a handover to new executives would occur between September 21 and 23. However, Uguru and his team allegedly refused to comply.
Iroabuchi Alozie, the Secretary of the Umuahia/Ubakala/Umunneochi Zone, mentioned that Sabbath was supposed to include the swearing-in of a new executive, but it did not happen. “Because we are men and women of integrity, we will not watch impunity continue in the Church of God,” he stated.
Various members of the church, including Priscilla Ogidi, the District Leader, Adventist Women Ministry, and Festus Uzochukwu, a pastor in Umuahia District, expressed displeasure over the prevailing impasse and stressed the need for resolution and renewal of leadership with individuals who lead with the fear of God.
A video of the church protestors can be seen here.
