CAN warns cleric over remarks on Adeboye, Oyedepo, Kumuyi

The Christian Association of Nigeria has issued a stern warning to Rev. Isaac Omolehin, founder of Word Assembly Ministry in Ilorin, over public comments in which he questioned the leadership structure of Nigerian Christianity and made remarks about prominent church figures.

In a statement on Wednesday, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh said the association was deeply troubled that Omolehin had publicly propagated claims without evidence and without regard for the potential consequences on national cohesion and church unity.

“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 also used the statement to deny allegations of internal division and financial impropriety, insisting that no relief funds had been received or mismanaged as alleged, and that reports of a North-South rift within the association were entirely baseless.

The warning followed a widely circulated sermon by Omolehin in which he argued that Adeboye, Oyedepo, and Kumuyi should be regarded as heads of their respective denominations rather than fathers of the entire Nigerian Christian body, questioning the notion of a single authority figure over all Christian traditions in the country. He also criticised what he described as rivalry and competition among church leaders over physical assets and aircraft.

His remarks generated mixed reactions, with some defending them as a legitimate critique of denominational fragmentation while others viewed them as disrespectful to established church leadership.

CAN warned Omolehin to desist immediately, adding that failure to do so would compel the association to pursue legal action to protect its integrity and that of the Christian community.