Peace Plea: Bishop Ajayi Intervenes in Ekiti Anglican Church Dispute

  Peace Plea: Bishop Ajayi Intervenes in Ekiti Anglican Church Dispute

By: Damilola Oladele

(Media Consultant)

A recent controversy at the All Saints Anglican Church, Opopogboro, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, has raised concerns and sparked debate among members of the diocese and Church of Nigeria at large. An investigation into the matter has revealed a complex web of issues, including a disputed Vestry Election, allegations of age discrimination, and a breakdown in communication between church leaders and members.

The controversy began when the Vicar of the church, Ven. Oke Olanrewaju, insisted that anyone above 70 years of age would not be allowed to contest for the position of People's Warden. This stance was based on the 2014 Synod Resolution of the Diocese, which was passed and approved by the then Archbishop of Ondo Province and also the Bishop of Ekiti Anglican Diocese, the most Revd. Omotunde (Rtd).

However, the Vicar's decision was met with resistance from a few members of the congregation who classified themselves as "Cabals and warlords." They argued that the age limit was unfair and discriminatory. The situation escalated, leading to the disruption of the church service the following Sunday.

In response to the crisis, the Diocesan Bishop of Ekiti, the Rt. Revd. Dr. Andrew Olusola Ajayi, took swift action. He placed the Vicar on *immediate indefinite leave*, paving the way for a peaceful resolution.

Subsequently, Bishop Ajayi established a *peace committee*, headed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Hon Justice Ayodeji Daramola, a retired Chief Judge of Ekiti State. Notably, *twelve PCC members*, including the Pastor's Warden, Synod Delegates, and Vergers, attended the peace committee meeting in a bid to resolve the crisis. However, the *ring leaders of the crisis refused to attend the meeting*, exposing their blatant disregard for church authority and Scripture.

In another effort to restore peace, Bishop Ajayi sent *Ven. Dr. Bode Otenaike*, a Senior Archdeacon, to preside over the church service on Sunday, March 2nd. Unfortunately, the ring leaders of the crisis refused to allow Ven. Dr. Otenaike to address the church, further exacerbating the crisis.

The committee's findings revealed several key issues that contributed to the crisis, including:

- *Lack of proper election procedures*: The committee found that the election procedures were not followed correctly, leading to disputes and confusion.

- *Mistaken beliefs about the tenure of People's Wardens*: The committee discovered that there were misconceptions about the length of time a People's Warden can serve, which contributed to the crisis.

- *Non-observance of Church rules*: The committee found that some members of the church were not following the rules and regulations of the church, which led to the crisis.

Speaking with the Diocesan Bishop, the Rt. Revd. Dr. Andrew Ajayi, he expressed disappointment that the members took the issue public despite his efforts to resolve it internally. He emphasized that the Anglican Church is episcopally led and synodically governed, guided by Scripture.

Bishop Ajayi assured that he will carefully consider and implement the recommendations of the peace committee to resolve the crisis and restore peace to the church. He appealed to members of the church to allow the Holy Spirit to take charge of His church, reminding them that the Anglican Church is spiritually guided and episcopally governed with the authority of the Scriptures.

Ultimately, the crisis at the All Saints Anglican Church, Opopogboro, Ado Ekiti, serves as a reminder of the importance of unity, peace, and spiritual growth in the church. As the church navigates this challenging period, it is crucial to prioritize these values and work towards a harmonious and peaceful resolution.