The Celestial Church of Christ, Acts of Apostle Parish, located in Ketu, Alapere, Lagos, is currently embroiled in a significant crisis triggered by a donation of 5 million Naira intended for church renovations. The turmoil began during a Sunday service when Muyiwa Oluponna, who claims to be a son of the church’s founder, disrupted the proceedings in a bid to assert his authority as the church shepherd. He allegedly seized the microphone from the acting shepherd, Adetayo Adetola, during the sermon, asserting his supposed right to deliver sermons every second Sunday of the month. The altercation escalated into a heated argument, becoming a public spectacle as it was captured in a viral video shared on social media.
Following Oluponna’s disruptive actions, the church’s authority responded swiftly by deploying a task force, led by Akinbode Adjovi, to shut the church down for a period of 40 days. Adetola recounted the episode, describing how Oluponna had insisted that the donated funds were not meant for the church itself but were the property of his family, claiming a familial ownership over the church. He demanded the money be returned to the family, emphasizing that the church was theirs, and insisted on being designated shepherd and allowed to preach regularly. This behavior was met with resistance when Oluponna attempted to commandeer the pulpit again, highlighting the rising tensions among the leadership.
The church’s senior shepherd, Emmanuel Iperepolu, corroborated allegations of Oluponna’s disruptive behavior, revealing that this was not an isolated incident. Prior to the dispute over the N5 million donation, Oluponna had been a source of intimidation within the church, reportedly making threats against Iperepolu and other congregants who stood against him. The escalating friction reached a boiling point with the recent financial donation, which Oluponna seized as leverage to claim authority. He labeled the church as belonging to the Oluponna family, directly disputing the authority of both church leadership and the broader congregation.
In the aftermath of these events, the church authorities emphasized the need to act decisively to avoid potential violence or a breakdown in order. Kayode Ajala, the Head of Media and Publicity for the Celestial Church of Christ, articulated the concerns surrounding public safety and the integrity of the church as a sanctuary. Shutting down the church temporarily was deemed a necessary step to maintain peace while investigations into the incident and the conflict were underway. Ajala reiterated the church’s commitment to resolving the issues at hand through dialogue and cooperation among all affected parties.
Oluponna, when approached for comment regarding the motivations behind the crisis and the N5 million donation, deflected responsibility, claiming that the discord was a family issue that needed resolution offline. His refusal to clarify or engage with the media has raised further questions about the integrity of his claims and intentions. The involvement of various church authorities indicates a structured response to this unprecedented situation, highlighting the complexities of church leadership and familial ties which may complicate governance.
As the church entered its 40-day closure, the focus shifted to resolution strategies and discussions around authority and property within the congregation. The conflict touches upon broader themes of religious governance, familial legitimacy, and the management of community resources, prompting introspection within the church about its practices and leadership structures. The outcome of this standoff could have lasting implications not only for the Acts of Apostle Parish but also for the broader Celestial Church, as it seeks to maintain unity and authority amidst conflicting assertions of power.
