REV. EMF OSHOFFA REMAIN EPOCHAL WHILE M/S/E BANJO, M/S/E OSHIN, M/S/E NUNAYON ARE VALUABLE IN CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST.

Immediately after the death of Papa Oshoffa in 1985, Celestial Church of Christ has been IN and OUT of Court room at various section of Nigerian Courts till date; the only reason for this court cases is largely about leadership tussle. 

While one individual has been at the center of all the activities of all the Court cases; in person of M/S/E Banjo. Baba Banjo remain the last man standing being a member of the first ever Board of Trustees (BOT) in Celestial Church. Baba Banjo has constantly defended the Ketu faction with everything within his power. As every court case involving Celestial Church of Christ will have the name of Baba Banjo appearing on the Court paper, even Baba Banjo had gone to court as witness for cross examination. Baba Banjo can be said to be a staunch believer in the philosophy of Papa Oshoffa ever since he was nominated as a member of the first BOT that worked with Papa Oshoffa.

However, year 2002 was a turning point in the history of our Church simply because the Elders received spiritual message on the way forward concerning the Church. While Baba Banjo played a significant role in the candidature of our current Pastor; Rev EMF Oshoffa. The emergence of EMF Oshoffa has Pastor in Celestial Church of Christ will not be completed without mentioning Baba Banjo’s name, it’s very obvious that the era of Rev. Emmanuel Oshoffa opened a new page in our church history with Baba Banjo standing strongly beside the Pastor in all ramification, has both men agreed to work together for the growth of the Church & to also sustain the legacy of Papa Oshoffa within the framework of the lay down tents and doctrines of the Church. 

Despite the various challenges which sprung up from other factions of the Church; Baba Banjo still stood with the leadership of EMF Oshoffa. It is very obvious that the dispute between Baba Banjo and late Baba Owoduni has a lot of background connection to the seat of the Pastor in Celestial Church of Christ; Baba Banjo’s continued his loyalty to Rev EMF Oshoffa faction believing that he was on the right path, while Rev EMF Oshoffa also has self-confidence in Baba Banjo’s fatherly advice. When issues beyond the imagination of Rev EMF Oshoffa & Baba Banjo started to happen, some cabals in the Church took the advantage to inject negative stereotypes mindset between Rev EMF Oshoffa and Baba Banjo leaving us wondering to who’s benefit is all this hullabaloo.

Eventually, there good relationship and friendship suddenly turned to be the best of enemy’s. Baba Banjo succumbed to external forces to negatively prevail over him, likewise Rev EMF Oshoffa also gave room for negative behavior to influence him toward Baba Banjo.

THE WAY FORWARD

Firstly, the resolution at the meeting held at Former President Obasanjo’s residence should be revisit, while both parties should draw a framework that will accommodate correct for further reference.

Secondly, There should be an emergency meeting between the Pastor EMF Oshoffa, M/S/E Banjo, M/S/E Oshin, and M/S/E Nunayon at Imeko on the way forward toward finding lasting peace to the current dispute between the Pastor and the Doyen of Celestial Church.