A fresh leadership crisis has rocked the African Church as embattled Primate, Julius Abbe, on Tuesday, rejected his sacking by some officials and members of the church.
Last Thursday, a group of church members stated that they had suspended Abbe from office, pending the conclusion of investigations against him by a panel to be constituted by the executive committee, following the church’s constitution.
The members made this known during a media briefing held at The African Church, Lagos South-West Diocese, Ebenezer Cathedral, Somolu, Lagos.
They claimed that Abbe had violated several constitutional provisions of the church, including “Sponsored ineligible candidates as against Section112.1(ii); manipulating conference resolutions as against Section131(viii); avoiding national meetings as against section 131(ix) and shutting down the secretariat without authority as against section 131(xii).”
They also accused him of “issuing threats and intimidation as against section 131(iii) and 131 (xii); and reversing duly adopted Conference decisions as against sections 131(x) and 131(xii).”
The members questioned the authenticity of Abbe’s Master’s degree certificate and noted he failed to respond within the constitutionally stipulated 48-hour window given to him to do so.
Addressing the issues during a media briefing held at The African Church College Hall, Ogba, Lagos, on Tuesday, Abbe insisted he remained the Primate of the church.
He said it was disheartening to witness the current impasse in the church, being a foremost indigenous church in Nigeria.
“I, His Eminence Julius Osayande Olayinka Abbe, by the grace of God elected as the 12th Primate, remain the indisputable spiritual and overall head of The African Church,” he said.
Abbe described all the allegations levelled against him as baseless.
“Despite our efforts, the issue persists, and it is demoralising to see our brethren resort to spreading falsehoods through the media.
“The fact remains that this rebellious group has consistently demonstrated an unholy attitude, refusing to change,” he said.
He kicked against the appointment of another cleric as acting Primate.
“Many were perplexed, wondering if the substantive Primate had resigned.
“The church, under my leadership as the Primate has not barred them from attending meetings. However, they have chosen to establish a parallel administration.
“The purported suspension letter is laughable, illegitimate and should be totally ignored.
“The Incorporated Trustees, in line with the constitution, have expired and are without constitutional authority,” Abbe said.
According to him, the National Conference (the highest ruling organ of the church) in Calabar, Cross River State, on June 19, 2025, approved the election of some officers to run the affairs of the church for the next six years.
He said the conference had approved the dismissal of 15 members, including those who had earlier suspended him, from the services of the church “for their insubordination, rebellious propaganda, and other devious acts against the constitution of the church.”
He also stated that some other members were excommunicated “for sacrilege, rebellion, and unconstitutional breaches and can no longer partake in holy communion.”
