Assemblies Of God Church Crisis Deepens As Apostle Threatens Lawsuit Against Factional Leader Abel Amadi Over November Election
Assemblies Of God Church Crisis Deepens As Apostle Threatens Lawsuit Against Factional Leader Abel Amadi Over November Election
The petition, dated September 30, 2026, and addressed to the National Headquarters in Enugu, follows a previous letter sent by Ogele to the General Superintendent on December 23, 2025, which allegedly went unanswered.
The lingering leadership crisis that has factionalised the Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria, is far from over, as a legal notice shows that a factional General Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Abel Amadi, was served a 14-day pre-action notice to suspend the church’s scheduled November executive election.
In a legal notice obtained exclusively by SaharaReporters, an apostle of the church, Apostle Iheanyi Patrick Ogele, through his legal counsel, C.C. Erondu of Chuks C. Erondu & Co (Barristers, Solicitors & Corporate Consultants), demanded that Rev. Amadi halt all election plans until a litany of grievances are addressed.
The petition, dated September 30, 2026, and addressed to the National Headquarters in Enugu, follows a previous letter sent by Ogele to the General Superintendent on December 23, 2025, which allegedly went unanswered.
The legal document, titled: “RE: A Case Of Administrative Lawlessness, Marginalization Against Non-Igbo Tribes, Discrimination Against Women Ministers, Failure To Reconcile The Church With Rev. Dr. Paul Emeka, Indiscriminate Retirement Of Young Active Married Women Alongside With Their Husband Who Retire From Active Service, Dubious Fundraising, Ignorance Of Boarder Line Between Lying And God’s Judgment,” paints a damning picture of the current administration.
According to the petition, Apostle Ogele’s initial letter contained several demands which Rev. Amadi has allegedly “refused, reneged and neglected to comply to.” Instead, the factional General Superintendent has scheduled an election to usher in a new General Superintendent, General Secretary, and General Treasurer.
Assemblies of God church
The aggrieved apostle argues that proceeding with the election would amount to a “miscarriage of justice, equity, fair play and marginalisation of women and non-Igbo tribes in the church.”
The legal counsel stated, “We therefore advise that you retrace your steps by complying with the said demands of Our Client before any election, most importantly look into the case of Rev. Dr. Paul Emeka.”
The crisis stems from a prolonged leadership tussle that split the church into two camps, one led by Rev. Dr. Abel Amadi and the other by Rev. Dr. Paul Emeka. The petitioner is demanding that the Amadi-led leadership address the Emeka issue and reconcile the factions before seeking a new mandate through elections.
The legal notice explicitly warns the church leadership of impending litigation if they fail to comply.
“This letter operates as a pre-action notice. We shall after 14 days of receipt of this letter commence legal proceedings against you to stop the election,” the letter stated. “We do hope you tread on the part of peace.”
The petition was copied to Rev. Dr. Paul Emeka and Rev. Robert Amah of the Assemblies of God Church Nigeria, Aba Central District.
As of the time of filing this report, the 14-day ultimatum had likely lapsed, raising the stakes for the church, which was billed to hold its executive elections next month, November. It remains to be seen whether the leadership will bow to the legal pressure to suspend the polls or face the prospect of a fresh legal battle that could further fracture the denomination.
