CAN cautions cleric over remarks on Oyedepo, Adeboye, Kumuyi

The Christian Association of Nigeria has cautioned the founder of Word Assembly Ministry, Ilorin, Rev. Isaac Omolehin, over recent public comments in which he referenced prominent church leaders and questioned leadership structure within Nigerian Christianity.

The association also dismissed allegations of internal division and mismanagement of relief funds, describing such claims as false and misleading.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said the association would not tolerate statements capable of undermining the unity of the church.

CAN also denied claims of any financial impropriety, insisting it had not received or managed any relief funds as alleged.

“We state, in the clearest possible terms: these allegations are entirely false, unfounded, and deliberately misleading,” the statement read.

The association maintained that it remained united, adding that suggestions of a split were baseless.

It also faulted what it described as the use of respected Christian leaders’ names in ways capable of causing tension within the Church.

“We are deeply troubled that these baseless claims were publicly propagated by Rev. Isaac Omolehin, founder of Word Assembly Ministry, Ilorin, without evidence and without regard for the potential consequences on national cohesion and the unity of the Church.

“We also note, with concern, the unwarranted references to respected Christian leaders; Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Bishop David Oyedepo, and Pastor William Kumuyi, in a manner capable of misleading the faithful and inflaming unnecessary tensions,” the statement read.

CAN warned Omolehin and others against making unverified claims or statements capable of misinforming the public.

The statement added, “Let it be unequivocally stated: CAN will not tolerate the spread of falsehoods or any attempt to malign the Church.

“Accordingly, we issue a firm and final caution to Rev. Isaac Omolehin and any other individuals or groups who misuse their platforms to disseminate unverified or defamatory claims: desist immediately. Failure to do so will compel the Association to take all necessary steps, including legal action, to protect its integrity and that of the Christian community.”

CAN’s warning comes against the backdrop of a recent sermon by Omolehin that has generated widespread debate on social media.

In the sermon, the Ilorin-based cleric questioned the idea of a single “father” figure in Nigerian Christianity and suggested that the country’s church leadership is largely divided along denominational lines.

In the widely circulated video, Omolehin argued that prominent Christian leaders such as Adeboye, Oyedepo and Kumuyi should be seen as heads of their respective denominations rather than fathers of the entire Christian body in Nigeria.

“A father would be somebody who looks after us all. Not just promoting the denominational agenda and the competition of how I’m building one mile auditorium. Then another one is trying to build two miles.

“One has one aircraft, another one wants to have three. The rivalry, the competition has no spiritual content,” he said.

He said no single individual could claim authority over all Christian traditions in the country.

His comments sparked mixed reactions among believers and church observers, with some defending his position as a critique of denominational fragmentation, while others viewed it as disrespectful to established Christian leaders.