Youth members of the Assemblies of God Church, Zion Family, located at 134B Wethedral Road, Owerri, Imo State, protested a petition against their pastor on Sunday by locking everyone out and sealing the church premises.
As a result of the youths’ actions, church services were cancelled, leaving congregants with no option but to return home, despite the presence of other members.
The youths, who arrived early, barricaded the church entrance in response to a petition filed against their officiating minister, Reverend Obinna Nwoko, by the Odionyemma family concerning the use of the Ofo, a traditional staff of authority in Igbo culture.
The youths explained that they chose to lock out all members to assert their stance, claiming the allegations were unfounded and motivated by family interference.
Kingsley Asuzu, the President of the church’s youth fellowship, told reporters that their decision to lock the church stemmed from the Odionyemma family’s ongoing attempts to exert their influence over the church.
Asuzu expressed their anger over the petition submitted to the General Council of the church in Enugu, alleging misconduct by Minister Nwoko.
He stated, “How can they accuse him of gross misconduct? They are trying to use this petition to undermine him. He has done nothing wrong; the family should instead be held accountable for the turmoil within the church.
“How can a minister be officiating from the pulpit when they forcefully drag the microphone from him and demand that he sit down?
“The issue arises from their attempts to compel the minister to conform to their demands, and when he refused, they resorted to writing a petition, accusing him of adopting traditional practices by concluding his prayers or teachings with ‘Ofor’. This is simply not true.
“We want to assure the General Superintendent and the entire Assemblies of God community—locally, nationally, and internationally—that the Zion family will do everything in their power to resist, confront, and oppose any semblance of injustice or unfairness in the handling of this petition,” Asuzu affirmed.
In response, Pastor Godfrey Odionyemma acknowledged the existence of a petition from the Odionyemma family but emphasised that the resolution of the matter rests with the church’s apex leadership.
Odionyemma stated, “The issue you have raised is currently being diligently handled by the apex leadership of the Assemblies of God Church in Nigeria. As such, I have not received the necessary authorisation from the leadership in Enugu State to engage in further discussions regarding this matter.
“It is vital that we respect our church’s constitution and its guiding principles during these challenging times. Therefore, I will refrain from commenting on the unrest at present, trusting that our church leaders will address the situation with the wisdom and fairness it requires.”
