From Ogbonnaya Ndukwe, Aba
The two warring factions of the embattled Apostolic Christian Church Mission (ACCM) have announced a formal cessation of hostilities and resolved to work as one body in the interest of the church and society.
The church leaders, including apostles, elders and factional board members at a media briefing in Aba, Abia State, stated that the leadership issues that brought about long years of power tussle between the two factions were no longer there.
The church’s legal adviser, Okey Njoku, who briefed newsmen, said both factions had agreed to come together, seek peace and fashion out better ways of forging ahead together for the good of all and the mission as enunciated by the founding fathers of the church.
They thanked the state government and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), for intervening and helping to settle the conflict.
The ACCM, a nationwide church with districts across most of the 36 states in Nigeria, had since 2024, been engulfed in fierce leadership tussles over whose turn it would be to preside its leadership.
The situation got so bad that both factions were barred from entering and making use of the church’s national headquarters, located on a large expanse of land along Omuma Road in Aba, which got taken over by armed policemen on the orders of the state government that sought to maintain peace.
According to Njoku, “prior to the period, 5th and 26th of January 2024, there were factions in ACCM. Following the intervention of CAN and Abia State government, that dispute was resolved, putting an end to factions.
“Relying on that, an administrator, the third in command was appointed in the name of Apostle GOC Onyendi.
On the 22nd of February 2024, he inaugurated the reform committee, as directed by the Abia government and CAN.
“The committee sat twice before the demise of the current new administrator. Presently, ACCM does not have a sitting president or bishop. What we have now is an administrator, Apostle Innocent Ukomadu, who will ensure within six months that the church is restored and every other position will follow.”
The General Missionary Secretary, Apostle Ephraim Akwarandu, speaking also at the briefing, added that factionalism in the church was over with a resolve to reunite and chart a common cause.
He emphasised that Apostle Ukomadu (the new administrator), had already established a constitution-review committee that has started working towards reforming the church.