₦airaland Forum

There foolish governor their problem. showbox

patorial:
Do you know that many people including u have severally accused that guy without providing a valid evidence of his crimes.

No mind them, every time Satan this Satan that and no single shred of proof whatsoever...simply a defarmation of character..!! Even all through the Christian bible the only guy killing people left, right and centre was the Yahweh guy, nothing to do with Satan...!!

The whole brouhaha simply point to the fact that church got nothing to do with any heaven or giving any bloody eternal life...but rather who get what and how much get to their pocket...!!!

Be guided

bluecircle470:
Their foolish governor their problem

patorial:
Do you know that many people including u have severally accused that guy without providing a valid evidence of his crimes.

You spoke my mind, they blame Satan for everything

hatchy:
Only in Christiandom.

You lied bro if you haven't seen such in other religion do your thorough findings ok.

Religion is filled with all kinds of mixed reaction bro.

omenka:
Used to think Qua Iboe church is a traditional Igala church just as NKST is to the Tivs.

Imagine FACTIONALIZATION in church. You'd think they're talking about a political party. When you check the underlying cause of this, you'd see money at the very roots!

Too bad.

You are on point, Brother!!!
Money! Offering here & there!

abc115:
The police have sealed off a church in Uyo where the Akwa Ibom governor, Udom Emmanuel, worships.

Armed police officers in 10 trucks arrived Qua Iboe Church at 112 Ikot Ekpene Road early Sunday morning and barricaded the church entrance, preventing worshippers from entering the premises.

A woman with her two children who wanted to get to the church was seen stepping down from Keke (a commercial tricycle). She and her children walked back and then disappeared into a nearby street, apparently frightened by the presence of the police officers.

Later in the day, around 10 a.m., some members of the church began gathering by the roadside, while the police continued to mount the barricade.

The police action is due to a lingering factional crisis at the church, PREMIUM TIMES learnt.

“The police have padlocked the main gate of the church, they don’t allow anybody to enter the church,” a security guard in the church told PREMIUM TIMES Sunday morning.

The guard, who gave his name as Attah, said he and a colleague were the only ones inside the church premises at the time he spoke via telephone with a PREMIUM TIMES reporter.

“The policemen came here as early as 6 a.m., and locked the gate after ordering people who were sweeping the church to leave,” he said.

Our church is not a police station, they should not be doing this! They should leave the place and go back to their station!” Samuel Magnus, the church youth leader, said angrily on the phone while preparing to leave home for the church.

Onofiok Ettang, the chairman of the church council, was unaware of the police presence in his church when PREMIUM TIMES called him in the morning. He was still at home, preparing to leave for the church.

“I’ll be going there now to ascertain what’s going on,” Mr Ettang said.

“The major problem in the church is that the United Evangelical Church wants to take over the church from Qua Iboe (Church), and they are using all means to do that,” he said.

The Qua Iboe Church

Qua Iboe Church was founded around 1887 by an Irish missionary, Samuel Bill, who served in Ibeno, in present-day Akwa Ibom State.

The church, whose headquarters is in Akwa Ibom, derived its name from the Qua Iboe River, which flows through the state into the Atlantic Ocean.

The 131-year-old church split into two factions in Nigeria about 17 years ago when some members, uncomfortable with the name Qua Iboe, pushed for a change of name to United Evangelical Church.

Some of the church’s branches across the country have embraced the new name, while others, mostly in Akwa Ibom, have stoutly rejected it because of a special affinity with the name Qua Iboe.

The Akwa Ibom governor, Mr Emmanuel, is a member and a deacon of Qua Iboe. He used to worship with his family in a branch of the church in Lagos before he moved down to Uyo on his appointment as the secretary to the Akwa Ibom government in 2014.

Mr Emmanuel, since he relocated to Akwa Ibom, occasionally worships at the church branch that the police have sealed off.

Governor’s Meeting

The governor a few days ago held an emergency meeting with the leadership of the branch of the church to find ways of resolving the lingering crisis.

Mr Ettang, the chairman of the church council, who was present at the meeting with Governor Emmanuel, said the governor’s approach to the conflict was not helpful to the church.

He said the governor wants one Ibup Emah, a former pastor of the branch, to return to the church against the wishes of the majority of the people in the branch.

Members of the troubled branch are accusing the former pastor, Mr Emah, of prosecuting an agenda of the United Evangelical Church. They say he is among those who want to change the church’s name from Qua Iboe to United Evangelical Church.

The women in the church carried out a peaceful protest at the church premises on Saturday, voicing out their rejection of Mr Emah.

“The church issues should be settled in the church. We have elders, we have a hierarchy in the church. We know our problem, and we can solve our problem. Let us come back home (to the church),” said Mr Ettang who alleged that “outsiders” were influencing the problem in the church.

Mr Emah declined to comment on the issue when PREMIUM TIMES contacted him, Sunday morning. “I don’t know what’s going on, I am no longer there, I have left the church,” he said.

Mr Ettang said the pastor was not being forthright in his remark here. “At the meeting with the governor, he (the pastor) was indirectly appealing to the governor that he wanted to return to the church,” he said.

After their meeting with Governor Emmanuel, Mr Ettang and the church secretary, Sylvester Edem, including the pastor, Mr Emah, signed an undated press statement which implied that the pastor had been accepted back by the church.

The statement, which claimed that normalcy had returned to the church, asked the people “to feel free to return to the place for worship as their safety in the course of normal church activities is guaranteed”.

A member of the church who did want his name mentioned in this story for fear of victimisation said the church elders who met with the governor were not allowed to speak at the meeting.

“The governor just told them to allow the pastor to come back. He didn’t give them a chance to say anything. If he did, maybe he would have known that we don’t want the pastor back in our church,” the member said.

Some of the members of the Qua Iboe Church standing by the roadside on Sunday, while police barricaded the church entrance
Some of the members of the Qua Iboe Church standing by the roadside on Sunday, while police barricaded the church entrance
Members of Qua Iboe Church being locked out by the women who protested at the church premises on Saturday
Members of Qua Iboe Church being locked out by the women who protested at the church premises on Saturday
It is not yet clear who invited the police to seal off the church premises.

Mr Magnus, the church youth leader, said Governor Emmanuel could not have directed the police to seal off the premises.

“The governor, in our meeting with him, warned that nobody should take policemen to the church,” Mr Magnus said.

Police Keep Mum

The police spokesperson in the state, Odiko MacDon, did not respond to calls from PREMIUM TIMES.

Two members of the church, however, blamed the crisis on the governor’s adviser on religious matters, Daniel Akwatang, who is also a member of Qua Iboe Church.

Mr Akwatang described the church crisis as “embarrassing” when PREMIUM TIMES contacted him, Sunday morning.

“We are not sleeping, we have been working very hard, and the matter is still escalating.”

The governor’s aide refused to speak further on the crisis.

Meanwhile, the traditional leaders of Oku clan, the indigenous people who donated the land for the building of the church more than 10 decades ago, have cautioned against changing the church’s name from Qua Iboe to United Evangelical Church.

The traditional leaders under the auspices of the Oku Clan Council of Traditional Rulers and Chief said in a statement that they are willing to donate another parcel of land for the building of another church that could be named United Evangelical Church so that peace could reign in Qua Iboe.

Their forebears gave the land to Qua Iboe Church, and not to the United Evangelical Church, they said.

Governor Emmanuel had made a few attempts in the past to resolve the rift within the Qua Ibo Church in Nigeria.

“We’ve gone very far on the reconciliation and we will soon be there,” Mr Emmanuel said in July last year when he visited a branch of Qua Iboe Church in Etinan.

The governor, in February 2017, had convened a peace meeting at the Government House, Uyo, with the factional leaders of the church.

Those present at the 2017 meeting included former Chief of Air Staff in Nigeria, Nsikak Eduok, and a retired major-general and former director-general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Edet Akpan. Both men, who are very influential in the church’s affairs, belong to different factions.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/355024-police-seal-off-governors-church.html

This is no more a church of Christ but a political church, the Bible has no place there again

omenka:
Used to think Qua Iboe church is a traditional Igala church just as NKST is to the Tivs.

Imagine FACTIONALIZATION in church. You'd think they're talking about a political party. When you check the underlying cause of this, you'd see money at the very roots!

Too bad.

This is not politics were you assume or draw conclusion. If you don't know anything about what is happening remain silent please rather than cast aspersions.

Why draw conclusion on something you don't know anything about.

I suggest that both names be adopted and any branch can choose which name suits it.

I am yet to do my research but i want to believe that issues like this have come up in other cases not particularly a church and both name have been registered and different group bear the name they are comfortable with.

omenka:
Used to think Qua Iboe church is a traditional Igala church just as NKST is to the Tivs.

Imagine FACTIONALIZATION in church. You'd think they're talking about a political party. When you check the underlying cause of this, you'd see money at the very roots!

Too bad.

if you read it very well you will see that the bone of contention is changing of church name. Both side have genuine reason. Qua iboe sound some how and the new name is okay but those that don't want changing of name don't want people to forget the sources of the church.

Business tussle.

When people talk they should be sure! Who told them that united evangelical was inaugurated 17 years ago

The story of Qua iboe Vs united evangelicals if you don’t know the truth then shut up!

It’s a story of a society!

And it wasn’t 17years ago pls.

sapientia:
Business tussle.

not really!

Wasn’t money.

omenka:
Used to think Qua Iboe church is a traditional Igala church just as NKST is to the Tivs.

Imagine FACTIONALIZATION in church. You'd think they're talking about a political party. When you check the underlying cause of this, you'd see money at the very roots!

Too bad.

Kiriyo business centre

Beat123:
When people talk they should be sure! Who told them that united evangelical was inaugurated 17 years ago

The story of Qua iboe Vs united evangelicals if you don’t know the truth then shut up!

It’s a story of a society!

And it wasn’t 17years ago pls.

Since when

Beat123:
not really!

It can only be.

Police settles only money issues.

patorial:
Do you know that many people including u have severally accused that guy without providing a valid evidence of his crimes.

Most of them will pay double for false accusation when that guy meet them in hell.

sapientia:
It can only be.

Police settles only money issues.

power related.

You see, some of this elders and church chairmen are not just ordinary. They belong to plenty things

MichaelUweh:
Be guided

In speaking the truth

ITbomb:
When politics enters the Church

You elevate politicians to high places in the Church because of money and expect the Holy Spirit to still be your guide?

Qua Iboe Church expanded beyond Akwa Ibom, the brethren outside the state decided they needed a more balanced name, that was okay.

To change the name outside the state was easy but inside the state is where you meet 4 generations members, it won't be that easy. Qua Iboe Church was established in 1887

Why would the brethren outside decide they want a Change of name when they came into the church knowing its origin. Let them leave or go form their own church. They can't come and dictate for the organization. The likes of Lutheran are still there and no body is complaining. We know the ethnic group who always want to high jack power in people's domain.

careytommy37:
I don't see anything wrong in the name change. However, using the police to achieve this goes against all biblical teachings.

I see so many things wrong in it. You came to an organization and was welcomed, knowing their rules, heritage and how they cherish it. You were welcomed into administration and active participation, now you want a different identity. For what? The identity is unique and serves a purpose which supersedes their selfish interest.

patorial post:



Do you know that many people including u have severally accused that guy without providing a valid evidence of his crimes.


Evidence? Satan?
I will pass.

ubcandid:
Why would the brethren outside decide they want a Change of name when they came into the church knowing its origin. Let them leave or go form their own church. They can't come and dictate for the organization. The likes of Lutheran are still there and no body is complaining. We know the ethnic group who always want to high jack power in people's domain.

Thank God you included the "brethren outside".
The Church is the congregation, if the entire congregation decides for a name change, you can't tell them to leave the church

ITbomb:
Thank God you included the "brethren outside".
The Church is the congregation, if the entire congregation decides for a name change, you can't tell them to leave the church

It's clearly stated that a section of them from outside the state are pushing for it. It's a NO. NO.

ubcandid:
It's clearly stated that a section of them from outside the state are pushing for it. It's a NO. NO.

In early 2000, "those outside the state were already using UEC and respected the hierarchy of QIC National body, it was when some indigenes from" outside "decided to have their own structure after failing to hijack the hierarchy to effect name change that anarchy entered

ITbomb:
In early 2000, "those outside the state were already using UEC and respected the hierarchy of QIC National body, it was when some indigenes from" outside "decided to have their own structure after failing to hijack the hierarchy to effect name change that anarchy entered

Some indigenes? Well I don't know about that. But from what I read it was our eastern brothers who pushed for it. Since I'm not a meme bee of the church, I can't argue further. But irrespective, I think that church has something to offer in the historical frame of the state and the name should remain as it is.

Ooh
Is that what really happened?
Was passing by yesterday and saw numerous police van outside the church.
I want to ask them one simple question.
What change has the new name United Evangelical brought to the lives of its member?
Absolutely nothing.
Africans are really blind folded, brain washed and left to rotten.
That's how many 419 pastors do ask their members to change their surname blc it's what that brings misfortune to them yet after the change of name bigger misfortunes still befall them.

ubcandid:
I see so many things wrong in it. You came to an organization and was welcomed, knowing their rules, heritage and how they cherish it. You were welcomed into administration and active participation, now you want a different identity. For what? The identity is unique and serves a purpose which supersedes their selfish interest.

The name of the Church is kind of parochial to me. Yes, the missionaries who founded it name it that, but many Nigerians have come to see this church as only for Akwa Ibom people. This thinking begun after the creation of the state in 1987.
ECWA also had to change their name for the same reasons.

careytommy37:
The name of the Church is kind of parochial to me. Yes, the missionaries who founded it name it that, but many Nigerians have come to see this church as only for Akwa Ibom people. This thinking begun after the creation of the state in 1987.
ECWA also had to change their name for the same reasons.

Well it's your point against mine. That I feel it doesn't merit doesn't mean your view is/could be wrong. But I feel the identity and origin which of course is Akwa-Inom should be preserved.

YES I'M AKWA IBOM. I FEEL THE NAME SHOULD REMAIN.

ubcandid:
Well it's your point against mine. That I feel it doesn't merit doesn't mean your view is/could be wrong. But I feel the identity and origin which of course is Akwa-Inom should be preserved.

YES I'M AKWA IBOM. I FEEL THE NAME SHOULD REMAIN.

I'm also Akwa Ibom though not a member of the church