From Paul Ibe, Enugu
At last, the protracted leadership tussle that almost tore the Assemblies of God church, Nigeria apart has been laid to rest, following the re-election of its embattled General Superintendent, Rev. Prof. Paul Emeka, for another four-year tenure.
Our Correspondent recalled that the now resolved internal strife, took different twist, including legal actions by the warring factions.
However, apart from the re-election of the GS, three other officers were equally elected during the church’s General Council held at its headquarters in Enugu.
Rev. Dr. Rapheal Itoto is now the new Assistant General Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Andrew Nyim, General secretary, and the General Treasurer is Rev. Dr. Rowland Best.
Also elected were 12 District Superintendents, including Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Ositadinma Ngene of Enugu District, Rev. Ibrahim Waziri of Niger District, Rev. Bunus Goni of Kaduna District, Rev. Istifanus Ishaya of Mangu District (Plateau State), and Rev. Dr. Daniel Amugo of Umuahia District.
Rev Prof Emeka who was suspended by a section of the church, an action the court declared illegal through an order and upon which many ongoing court cases rest, said: “It is not really a new government, it is a continuation of the government that has been.
“It was unfortunate that I led the church for three years and some greedy fellows, desperadoes pounced upon the leadership, openly contesting, contending, joggling, and haggling to take office, something that had never happened in the church. Thank God the Assemblies of God is happy again.”
The Assemblies of God is one of the foremost Pentecostal churches in the Eastern part of Nigeria. It was established in 1939 in the Umuahia district of the pre-colonial region. The church had been known as conservative and rigid. Recent crisis that engulfed the church came to many as a surprise. With the just concluded General Assembly, it is hoped that peace may have returned to the church at last.
