In Gombe State, hundreds of members of the United Methodist Church (UMC) staged a protest against a faction within the church accused of advocating for LGBTQ rights and regionalisation. The demonstration, held during the Northern and Central Nigeria Annual Conferences in Gondum village, Shongom local government area, saw participants carrying placards denouncing LGBTQ rights and regionalisation, expressing their commitment to maintaining a unified church and opposing what they consider “unholy acts.”
Yohana Wesley, the Resident Bishop of Nigeria UMC, explained that the faction’s non-compliance with established procedures led to the church’s decision to disown them. Chipau Kiliyobas, Director of Connectional Ministry for Northern Nigeria UMC Annual Conference, highlighted that the core of the dispute revolves around disagreements over LGBTQ issues and regionalisation, with the traditional majority viewing LGBTQ acts as unacceptable.
Bishop John Schol, representing the Council of Bishops from the United States, attempted to mediate and promote unity among the factions. However, his efforts were met with resistance from the protesters. Bishop Schol assured that decisions regarding same-sex marriage would be left to regional jurisdictions without global imposition, yet the protesters remained resolute in their opposition to any form of LGBTQ recognition.
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