The Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Rev. Biodun Fatoyinbo has issued a public apology to the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) and the family of the late Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola following backlash that greeted remarks made in a recent sermon.
LEADERSHIP reports that in a now-viral clip, Fatoyinbo described Babalola as “anointed… so anointed” but claimed that “all the grace just went like that” because he “had no money.”
He also recounted a story of a python allegedly drying up after crossing Babalola’s leg, but questioned the impact of his ministry in material terms.
The comments drew a sharp reaction from the CAC, which, in a statement signed by its Director of Publicity, Pastor Ade Alawode, condemned the remarks as “insensitive and ill-informed.”
“In one of your trending messages on YouTube, you acknowledged that Apostle Babalola was highly anointed but ‘had no money,’ and then went on to ask sarcastically, ‘Where are his children?’” the CAC said. “To equate anointing or ministerial success with material wealth is biblically flawed,” Alawode had stated in the statement.
The church defended Babalola’s legacy, insisting that he “was not poor,” lived in a “befitting home,” owned one of the best Ford Jeeps of his time, and provided for many beyond his biological children. It added that his two surviving children are “blessed, fulfilled, and quietly serving the Lord.”
Responding in a press release on Thursday, Fatoyinbo said his remarks had been misconstrued and maintained that he did not speak ill of the late evangelist’s children.
“I appreciate the fact that a church I personally love, admire and respect would be so kind and magnanimous enough to address the issues which have been misconstrued in an exemplary Christian manner,” he said.
“At no time in the sermon did I refer to the children of the late Apostle and Father of faith in bad light. I would never do that.”
The COZA leader described Apostle Babalola as “a most distinguished father of faith in Nigeria and indeed all over the world” whose ministry has influenced “many of the churches in this part of the world.”
He added, “I am also aware that the children of the late veteran of faith, who are all serving God and keeping up the legacy of our late father of faith, are not only shining examples of generational impact, but good and present-day examples for children of visionaries to follow.”
Fatoyinbo concluded with an apology, “I apologise if any other statement made by me has caused any form of distress, hurt or discontentment to the CAC, the family of the late Apostle Babalola or his associates. I pray that this puts to rest the entire episode.”
LEADERSHIP reports that Apostle Babalola, who died in 1959 is revered as the first General Evangelist of the CAC and a pioneer of Pentecostal revival in Nigeria.
