The Abia State Government vehemently dismissed allegations circulated on the Facebook page of the Apostolic Christian Church Mission, claiming that Governor Alex Otti had officially recognized a General Overseer for the Church and granted approval for the annual convention.
In a press statement issued by Kenneth C. Wiper, the Special Assistant on Religious Matters to Governor Alex Otti on Saturday evening, the State government unequivocally denied any involvement of Governor Otti in the selection of a General Overseer for ACCM or endorsement of the annual convention.
Wiper emphasized this point, stating, “Let it be known to all and sundry that His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, has neither approved the lifting of the ban earlier placed on the 2024 annual convention nor endorsed anyone as General Overseer. It is important to state categorically that the Governor has no role in selecting leadership for the Church, or any church for that matter.”
He further clarified that the government’s interest in the ACCM matter was solely focused on preventing a breakdown of law and order amid the ongoing leadership tussle within the church. Wiper remarked, “Government wishes to state that its interest in the ACCM matter is only to ensure against the breakdown of law and order, sequel to the unhealthy leadership tussle going on in the church.”
In response to the protracted leadership dispute within ACCM, Wiper acknowledged the prevailing situation, of leadership tussle in the past two years, with different factions laying claims to the General Overseer position.
The conflict led to the closure of the Church’s headquarters in Aba on December 31, 2022, by the former administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. Although unsealed in March 2023 by Ikpeazu, the leadership crisis persisted.
The Abia State government took decisive action on Friday by suspending the annual convention of the church and warning all parties involved against disobeying the directive. Wiper concluded, “Government wishes to state that its interest in the ACCM matter is only to ensure against the breakdown of law and order, sequel to the unhealthy leadership tussle going on in the church.”
