ETHNICITY! The African Church allegedly sacks Primate
It is quite unfortunate that ethnicity has now taken centre stage in Christendom, especially the church, which is supposed to be united in faith, irrespective of ethnic, cultural or tribal background. The most recent case of overwhelming ethnic sentiments in the church is the allegedly sack of the Primate of the African Church, Primate E. J. Udofia VANGUARDFACTS gathers.
According to an insider in the Rivers province of the church, Primate Udofia was sacked because he is not of the Yoruba ethnic group, coupled with the fact that he (Primate Udofia) refused to oblige to some of the obnoxious practices like giving portfolios to any member of the Ogboni cult in the church, marrying more than one wife, etc., which the Yoruba lay officers of the church have always wanted it to be; and was strict about following the Biblical principles. To this end, members of the Yoruba lay management members in the church convened an emergency meeting last week which was strictly attended by them (Yorubas), VANGUARDFACTS gathered that they forced the Secretary Evang Eddy Orogun to sign the sack letter to be delivered to the Primate Udofia over the week.
Another source from Ibadan province also narrated that the constitution of the church states that a clergy retires at the age of 65; and from the last constitution of the church (as amended), the Primate is billed to stay till 2024. Findings revealed that Primate Udofia had held the position before the church constitution was amended; and in a meeting which was held in Ikot Ekpene Diocese sometime in April 2014, a motion was raised that the amended constitution which stipulates that a Primate must occupy the office for ten years does not affect Primate Udofia who was there before the law was made, he clinched the office in a contest when he was 50 years, as that was not the constitution for which he was sworn in, hence, Primate Udofia was to remain as Primate in the church till 2024.
Another source from Lagos central diocese also explained that in the African Church, the Primate presides over every meeting, but in the said meeting of the Yoruba lay management members of the church was presided over by the newly sworn-in Lay-President, the Primate was barred from attending, hence, the Primate is said to have rejected the sack letter because according to him, the content was not yet clear.
The former Deputy Lay President of the church, Evang Oladosu Oladipo also confirmed to VANGUARDFACTS through a phone call the story of the purported sack of the African Church Primate.
It is hoped that a general committee that will host all the Bishops and Archbishops and designated delegates of the church next week, will look into the matter, and consider the action by the Yoruba lay officers of the church.
Calls were placed on the primate, Dr. Udofia, the lay president Engr. Babatunde Odufuwa, General Secretary Evang Eddy Odugun and the Chancellor Olumuyiwa SAN to further confirmed the story, they however declined further comments as tension is very high on the matter.
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