Enugu Assemblies of God Church Embroiled in Power Tussle; Factional Members Battle For Control

Ignatius Okpara, Enugu

The crisis rocking the Assemblies of God Church Nigeria, (AG) Enugu, following the suspension of its General Superintendent (GS), Rev. Prof. Paul Emeka, on Tuesday took a dramatic dimension as those loyalists of the sacked cleric, barred the Acting General Superintendent, Rev. Chidi Okarafor and his group from holding a meeting in the Church premises.

The Church had not known peace since members of the Executive Committee referred to as Ambassadors of the Kingdom, purportedly suspended Rev. Emeka on March 6, 2014.

Rev. Prof. Paul Emeka

African Examiner learnt that the crisis has escalated to legal action as the issue is currently before Enugu and Abakaliki courts. Our correspondent gathered that the tussle has also caught attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), due to allegation of financial recklessness against the suspended GS by some members.

A horde of Okorafor’s supporters had stormed the Uwani branch of the Church for the aborted and controversial meeting, but were stopped from gaining entrance into the premises by members who insisted Rev Emeka was wrongly suspended.

So as not leave nothing to chances, the factional members engaged the police, SSS and Civil Defence officers, so as to ensure that loyalists of acting GS were not allowed into the church complex as well as to avoid spreading rumour about Rev. Emeka

African Examiner reliably gathered that what informed decision to bar the Assistant GS and his group was due to the fact the matter is still in court couple with the exiting ruling which has reinstated Rev Emeka and pending the determination of the case. Some members of the church who spoke to news men said they disallowed the meeting because it was illegal and was capable of causing chaos and disunity among members of the church.

A deacon in the church, James Eze said the Okoroafor and his group have been going from one church to another to foment trouble and contended that they at Uwani church would not allow them to use the church premises as a battle ground.

According to him, the Retired GS, Dr. Charles Osueke whom he described as Ahetophel supposed to bring the situation to order but instead, fraternized with the dissidents to deal with Rev. Emeka.

The Media Coordinator of South District of the Church, Rev. Uchenna Stanley Ago, also decried the crisis, saying it was quite regrettable.

Efforts by African Examiner to reach both Rev. Emeka and Acting GS, Dr Okoroafor for their comments on the recent development, proved abortive.