Youth members of the Assemblies of God Church, Zion Family, located at 134B Wethedral Road, Owerri, Imo State, staged a protest on Sunday over a petition filed against their pastor.
In a dramatic move, they locked the church premises, preventing anyone from entering and effectively shutting down the day’s service.
The protest centered around a petition against Reverend Obinna Nwoko, submitted by the Odionyenma family, who accused him of incorporating traditional practices, specifically the use of the Ofo staff, in his ministry.
The protesting youths dismissed the allegation as false, arguing that the family was attempting to interfere in church affairs.
Kingsley Asuzu, president of the church’s youth fellowship, explained that the decision to lock the church was a response to what they saw as undue influence from the Odionyenma family.
He condemned the petition sent to the church’s General Council in Enugu, describing it as a tactic to discredit Reverend Nwoko.
Asuzu further alleged that the family had previously tried to impose their authority on the church and had even interrupted the pastor’s sermons by forcibly taking the microphone from him.
He insisted that Nwoko had done nothing wrong, stating, “The claim that he engaged in gross misconduct is false. The real issue is the family’s desire to control the church.”
The youth group vowed to resist any perceived injustice, urging the leadership of the Assemblies of God Church both locally and internationally to ensure a fair resolution of the matter.
When contacted, Pastor Godfrey Odionyemma confirmed the existence of the petition but declined to comment further, citing the need to follow the church’s constitutional process.
He stated that the church’s apex leadership in Enugu was handling the matter and would decide on the next steps.
Efforts to reach Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, for comments were unsuccessful.
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