Abia State Government refutes the assertion made on a Facebook page of the Apostolic Christian Church Mission (ACCM) that Governor Alex Otti has sanctioned a General Overseer for the Church and endorsed its annual convention. The government reaffirms that Otti has not participated in the selection of any General Overseer for ACCM.
In a press release by Keneth C. Wiper, Special Assistant on Religious Matters to Governor Alex Otti, the state government emphasizes that Otti has not authorized the appointment of a General Overseer or the lifting of the ban on the 2024 annual convention. It is clarified that the Governor has no involvement in designating leadership within the Church or any other religious institution.
The government’s interest in the ACCM matter is solely to prevent potential disorder stemming from the ongoing leadership dispute within the church. The state government’s intervention is aimed at ensuring the preservation of law and order amidst the internal conflicts besetting ACCM.
The history of ACCM’s internal discord includes a prolonged leadership struggle over the General Overseer position, culminating in the closure of the Church’s headquarters in Aba by the previous administration. While Governor Okezie Ikpeazu reopened the Church in March 2023, the leadership crisis persisted.
Moreover, the Abia State government recently intervened by suspending the church’s annual convention and cautioned the involved factions against disregarding the directive.
This development sheds light on the protracted power struggle within ACCM and the government’s role in mitigating potential unrest. The state government’s firm denial of Governor Otti’s involvement serves to clarify the misinformation circulated by ACCM and underscores the imperative to maintain stability within religious institutions.
