*Says Claims of Disquiet Over Pastor Azaki’s Reinstatement Are Untrue and Malicious By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Evangelical Chur...
*Says Claims of Disquiet Over Pastor Azaki’s Reinstatement Are Untrue and Malicious
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Evangelical Church of Winning All (ECWA) Wuse II, Abuja, has strongly refuted media reports suggesting a leadership crisis within the church following the reinstatement of its senior pastor, Rev. Dr. Nashon Azaki. The church described such reports as false, malicious, and the handiwork of a few disgruntled individuals attempting to tarnish its reputation.
In a statement jointly signed by some founding members and made available to journalists, ECWA Wuse II not only debunked the allegations but also accused certain individuals within the church of using the media to wage a campaign against its leadership. The statement referred to these individuals as "enemies of Christ and agents of the devil" determined to bring down the House of the Lord.
The church specifically addressed allegations made by a group of 28 members who had previously petitioned the ECWA headquarters, accusing Rev. Azaki of sexual harassment. The statement emphasized that the accusations were investigated by multiple independent committees within the church hierarchy and found to be baseless.
"It is important to set the record straight. The claim that ‘ECWA Wuse II members’ are behind this petition is misleading, as only 28 individuals—out of a congregation of 3,000—signed it. Furthermore, some of them have since come forward to disassociate themselves, stating that their names and signatures were forged," the statement clarified.
The founding members condemned the persistence of these individuals, attributing their actions to personal interests rather than genuine concern for the church.
"They refuse to accept the findings of three independent investigative committees that exonerated the senior pastor. Now, instead of moving forward, they have resorted to a media trial, tarnishing both the pastor’s reputation and the image of the entire church," the statement read.
The statement further alleged that the group is attempting to remove Rev. Azaki by any means necessary, in order to continue personal financial dealings that the pastor and the church’s Elders’ Board have resisted.
"For over a month now, this group of 28 individuals has been demanding the removal of Rev. Dr. Nashon Azaki in a cult-like manner. This came as a shock to the church community, which has enjoyed unity and peace. Their failure to substantiate their claims has now led them to spread misinformation through the media," the statement continued.
The founding members expressed disappointment that, despite mediation efforts by respected church elders, the group persists in its efforts to discredit the church and its leadership.
"Some of us have been members of this church for over 40 years, and we can say with certainty that the actions of these so-called concerned members are not spiritually motivated but rather driven by a desire for personal financial gain. The senior pastor, with the support of the Elders’ Board, has resisted financial mismanagement, which seems to be the root cause of this dispute," they stated.
They further emphasized that the claims of discontent within the church were entirely false.
"Contrary to the claims made by this group, there is widespread celebration and thanksgiving within the congregation. The notion of an ‘uneasy calm’ is completely fabricated," the statement asserted.
The church urged ECWA members worldwide not to be misled by the actions of this group, emphasizing that internal challenges are not uncommon within religious institutions but must be handled with wisdom and prayer.
"We implore all believers to remember that such individuals have existed in the church since the time of Jesus Christ. Through prayer and patience, we trust that God will touch their hearts and lead them to repentance," the statement concluded.
The church also called on the public to disregard what it described as a "campaign of calumny" orchestrated by this small faction, noting that the success of the recent New Year Thanksgiving service on March 30, 2025, was a testament to God’s continued presence in ECWA Wuse II.
"As committed members of ECWA Wuse II, we reaffirm our trust in the leadership of Rev. Dr. Nashon Azaki and urge the general public to ignore any misleading narratives. We stand by the decisions of our church leaders and remain dedicated to the mission of growing a spiritually sound congregation," the statement added.
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