Abia State Government has refuted claims made on a Facebook page associated with the Apostolic Christian Church Mission (ACCM), stating that Governor Alex Otti endorsed a General Overseer for the church and approved its annual convention.
In a press statement, the Special Assistant on religious matters to Governor Alex Otti, Keneth C. Wiper, clarified that the Governor played no role in selecting ACCM’s leadership and emphasised the government’s interest in preventing a breakdown of law and order amid the ongoing leadership tussle within the church.
Wiper stated, “Let it be known to all and sundry that His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, has neither approved the lifting of the ban earlier placed on the 2024 annual convention nor endorsed anyone as General Overseer.
“It is important to state categorically that the Governor has no role in selecting leadership for the Church, or any church for that matter.
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“Government wishes to state that its interest in the ACCM matter is only to ensure against the breakdown of law and order, sequel to the unhealthy leadership tussle going on in the church.”
Recall that ACCM has been grappling with leadership disputes for the past two years, resulting in the closure of its headquarterss at 34 Omuma road, Aba in 2022.
Despite the unsealing of the church in 2023, by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the leadership crisis persists.
Furthermore, the Abia State government recently suspended the church’s annual convention, warning against defiance of the directive.