By Professor Ojo Emmanuel Ademola
The recent article by Pastor David Udofia, now trending across social media platforms, has awakened the conscience of the Body of Christ. I endorsed it because it speaks with honesty, courage, and historical clarity. It is a reminder that truth, no matter how long suppressed, eventually rises like the morning sun. The Christ Apostolic Church Nigeria and Overseas has endured more than three decades of division, pain, and institutional trauma. Yet the question remains: why have all peace efforts failed? Why has unity remained elusive in a Church founded on revival, holiness, and the prophetic legacy of Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola?
The answer is not hidden. It is written in our history, documented in testimonies, and confirmed by Scripture. Peace failed because truth was rejected. Peace failed because power was preferred over righteousness. Peace failed because the General Executive Council, from 1990 onward, consistently resisted every genuine attempt at reconciliation. Scripture teaches that genuine peace is impossible where truth is rejected. Psalm 85:10 declares that mercy and truth must meet before righteousness and peace can kiss. Amos 3:3 asks, “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” Agreement here is not superficial; it is agreement in truth.
Historical documents reveal that immediately after the 1990 takeover, pastors were compelled to sign an oath of allegiance at Ikeji Arakeji. Many were retired forcefully, transferred punitively, or stripped of their dignity. The document states: “Some pastors who couldn’t cope with all the ‘tsunami’ died suddenly, especially those retired forcibly and who didn’t have any other source of living.” This is not the fruit of unity; it is the fruit of coercion. Jesus said in John 10 that true shepherds lead by example, but false shepherds climb into the fold by force.
Assemblies were taken over with police escorts. Congregations were intimidated. Youths in places like Irefin, Oniyanrin, and Oke Ife Agbowo had to physically resist attempts to seize their sanctuaries. These actions alone reveal why peace could not thrive. Peace cannot be built on fear. Peace cannot grow where intimidation is the language of leadership.
When the Christian Association of Nigeria, respected monarchs, and national figures intervened, the GEC rejected every effort. The document states: “Every peace move was rebuffed by the GEC leaders—they simply were not interested in reconciliation.” Instead, they strengthened their structures, expanded their control, and continued arresting pastors who resisted. This is not the posture of men seeking unity; it is the posture of men protecting a revolution.
In 2004, Pastor E. H. L. Olusheye announced that God had instructed him to pursue peace. Many rejoiced. But the truth later emerged: the GEC needed evidence of unity to secure approval for Joseph Ayo Babalola University. The document reveals that the National Universities Commission refused to register a university for a divided Church. So the GEC staged a unity service, took photographs, and pushed for a joint communiqué. Once JABU was approved using the 1985 certificate released by Baba Udofia for the sake of the Church, the GEC lost interest in peace. This is not reconciliation; it is manipulation.
Scripture warns against such behaviour. James 3:17 says that the wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, and without hypocrisy. Any peace move driven by ulterior motives cannot stand. Jesus said in Matthew 7 that a tree is known by its fruit. The fruit of the 2004 peace initiative was not unity; it was expediency.
One of the most heartbreaking testimonies is that of Pastor Gabriel Lagunju, described by Pastor Udofia as “the Man of Peace.” Pastor Lagunju made extraordinary sacrifices for unity. He invited Pastor Akinosun privately, asking him to come alone. Instead, Akinosun arrived with Pastor Samuel Oladele, now the President of the GEC. At that meeting, Pastor Lagunju proposed that both leaders step down to allow a fresh, neutral president to lead a united Church. Pastor Oladele responded: “Ha, Baba, se eo fe ki Oga o pari term won ni?” meaning, “Ah, Baba, don’t you want my boss to complete his term?” That single sentence reveals the heart of the matter. The GEC was never ready to sacrifice power for unity.
Pastor Lagunju then offered to step down alone if Pastor Akinosun would call a unity meeting. Again, nothing happened. Pastor Lagunju died with a broken heart, repeatedly narrating how his peace efforts were rejected. Proverbs 13:10 says, “Only by pride comes contention.” The GEC’s refusal to yield confirms this biblical truth.
Instead of pursuing unity, the GEC held secret meetings with selected Supreme Council leaders, offering inducements and promising positions. This led to the 2017 split in the Supreme Council. Principal officers resigned suddenly, allegedly after receiving financial promises. They adopted GEC themes and programmes without addressing the root issues. Pastor Lagunju later wrote a memo urging the Church to “embrace and support the Certificate of Registration No.147 of 1985,” but he was ignored. This shows that the GEC’s strategy was infiltration, not reconciliation.
Even after the Supreme Council leaders betrayed their mandate, the GEC still refused unity. They sued Pastors Henry Ojo and Deke Onagwa, then later reconciled with them only to maintain parallel administrations. The climax came when Pastor Odejobi announced that God had permitted both factions to “co‑exist peacefully.” This contradicts John 10:16, the motto of CAC: “One fold and one shepherd.” It contradicts Apostle Babalola’s warning that God spread only one mat for His Church.
The Remnant Movement rejects the idea of two heads for one Church. Scripture rejects it. History rejects it. The founding fathers rejected it. The 1985 certificate rejects it. The Holy Spirit rejects it.
The Remnant Movement stands on truth, not sentiment. It stands on Scripture, not convenience. It stands on the legacy of the fathers, not the ambitions of men. It stands on the conviction that unity must be built on righteousness, not compromise. It stands on the belief that CAC will return to one fold and one shepherd, not by human negotiation but by divine intervention.
The GEC may resist peace, but they cannot resist God. The revolution of 1990 may have lasted 34 years, but it cannot last forever. The mat God spread for His Church remains one. The Spirit is moving. The truth is rising. The Remnant is awakening. And the Christ Apostolic Church will be restored.
This is not merely a historical analysis. It is a prophetic call. It is a reminder that the Church belongs to Christ, not to any council or faction. It is a call to every CAC member, every Nigerian Christian, and every lover of truth to stand with righteousness. The Body of Christ must refuse to be silent. Silence is what allowed the 1990 revolution to succeed. Silence is what allowed division to endure. Silence is what empowers falsehood.
But now, the truth is speaking. The Spirit is stirring. The Remnant is rising. And the Christ Apostolic Church will return to one-fold and one shepherd, because that is the will of God.
Professor Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, is General Evangelist, CAC Nigeria and Overseas. He is a columnist with Penpushing Media
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