The succession of the Pastor Founder of our Church has been an unresolved issue since the departure of the Founder. The Church lacks a clear definition of the provisions for the leadership role, as stated in Section 111 of the Church Constitution: ‘Whereas the Pastor and Founder of Celestial Church of Christ has publicly proclaimed that, by divine inspiration, it has been revealed to him regarding the mode for the appointment or selection of a Successor to the post of Pastor and Spiritual Head of the Church.’
This section has been subject to various interpretations by members and in the year 2000, the Supreme Court ruled on the Church’s Pastoral position. However, the advice and provisions of the Apex Court have not been fully adhered to, leading to another judgment in the Federal High Court at Ilaro in 2015, which declared the Pastor’s seat vacant. The plaintiff then filed an appeal at the appellate court in Ibadan under the registered BOT.
Today, the 13th of November 2023, an unconcluded debate took place between the son of the late Rev AA Bada and VSE Obinyan, also known as Bishop. Bishop’s viewpoint echoes the sentiments of some members who believe that the late Baba Bada endorsed the late Rev Jesse as the rightful successor to the Pastoral authority. Bishop further supports his claim by stating that this endorsement took place during a conference held at Imeko before the Pastor’s trip to London.
In a prompt response, Evangelist John Bada clarified that his father never explicitly declared Baba Jesse as successor, not even during the event at the conference center in Imeko. What he actually stated was that Baba Jesse would represent him at church functions while he was out of the country, until his return. He said the statement led to a conflict between Baba Jesse and Baba Layon who held a higher seniority position than Baba Jesse during the Makoko National Headquarters harvest that year. He said Baba Layon insisted on preaching in place of Baba Bada who was abroad at the time. This incident marked the emergence of the popular saying “Ko ka fami si” in the church’s history.
The aftermath of the Imeko Conference is now part of history, as both leaders have passed away. The only surviving member of the Board of Trustees who has been playing an active role in the leadership dispute and understands the intricacies of the crisis and the way forward has been asked to step aside.
The problem that arose in 1985 remains unresolved and the contentious issue has extended beyond the succession of the Church Pastor to the dissolution of the Board which was registered under a sovereign law.
