The United Methodist Church Nigeria (UMCN) has marked its centennial milestone, commemorating 100 years of existence.
Over the decades, the church has faced a series of internal conflicts fueled by ethnic divisions and leadership struggles. Recently, the global debate over same-sex marriage further escalated tensions, culminating in a significant split within the church.
Amidst the upheaval, the presiding bishop, John Wesley Yohanna, made headlines by stepping down from his role, leaving the congregation in uncertainty. Though Yohanna was set to retire by the end of September, he made an earlier decision to align with the Global Methodist Church. This decision followed the General Conference’s May resolution in Charlotte, USA, which approved same-sex marriage and removed previous restrictions related to LGBTQ individuals.
The May conference outlined several pivotal changes, including the “removal of restrictive language related to LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) people” and the “removal of the language that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” Additionally, bans on the ordination of self-avowed practicing homosexual clergy and the performance of same-sex weddings were also lifted.
Bishop Yohanna found himself at the center of another controversy when he was implicated in the arrest and deportation of two visiting bishops—Bishop John Scholl from the United States and Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa from Zimbabwe. These bishops were reportedly in Nigeria to oversee the election of Yohanna’s successor.
Speaking to The Nation, Yohanna explained his departure from the United Methodist Church and clarified his involvement, or lack thereof, in the deportation of the two bishops. “When I became a bishop there was nothing like homosexuality… We have always voted it out when we go to the general conference,” he stated. He went on to emphasize that with the legalization of same-sex marriage, the UMCN could no longer remain aligned with the broader United Methodist Church, opting instead to join the Global Methodist Church.
On the allegations regarding the deported bishops, Yohanna denied any involvement: “If there are problems between him and the security operatives, I don’t know anything about it… I belong to the Global Methodist Church.”
Yohanna also criticized the church’s ‘regionalization’ policy, which sought to allow countries like Nigeria, where same-sex marriage is illegal, to operate under different rules than those in countries where it is accepted. “You cannot say the Bible is divided,” Yohanna remarked, rejecting the notion that such policies could coexist within the global church.
When asked about the possibility of legal action against those accusing him of escalating the crisis, Yohanna said he would not pursue it: “As a bishop, I want to comply with the word of God… Only God can tarnish your image. But for people to be formulating lies on me, God knows.”
Meanwhile, Rev. Salisu Waziri, a journalist and UMCN member, argued that the LGBTQ issue was not the sole driver of the church’s conflict, pointing instead to the regionalization policy as a liberal and inclusive solution. He emphasized that “the council of bishops or any other leadership in America… cannot and will never send any clergy that is sympathetic to homosexuality to come and work” in Nigeria.
In the ongoing saga, Rev. Dr. Philip Micah Doppah, Director of Connectional Ministry for the United Methodist Church Southern Conference, also weighed in, revealing that Yohanna’s leadership had been contentious from the start. “In the 12 years, we never recognized him,” Doppah said.
The crisis, deeply rooted in ethnic and social tensions, has drawn the involvement of both local and international actors. The Taraba State Government has now intervened, banning worship in all UMC and GMC churches to prevent further escalation of the conflict. As the church grapples with its future, the path ahead remains fraught with uncertainty.
