The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has officially cautioned Rev. Isaac Omolehin, the founder of Word Assembly Ministry in Ilorin, following controversial public remarks regarding the leadership structure of the Nigerian church and its most prominent figures.

The dispute centers on Omolehin’s assertions that Nigerian Christianity lacks a "true father" and his specific criticism of Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and Pastor William Kumuyi.

Core Points of the Dispute

• The "Fatherhood" Debate: In a viral sermon, Rev. Omolehin argued that prominent leaders like Adeboye (RCCG), Oyedepo (Living Faith), and Kumuyi (Deeper Life) should be regarded strictly as "denominational heads" rather than "fathers of Christianity in Nigeria". He contended that a true father must transcend denominational boundaries and be vocal about crises affecting all Christians, particularly those in Northern Nigeria.

• Allegations against CAN: Beyond his comments on individual leaders, Omolehin claimed that CAN had fractured into two factions and alleged the mismanagement or diversion of relief funds intended for the Northern church.

CAN’s Official Response

In a statement issued on April 22, 2026, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh dismissed these claims as "entirely false, unfounded, and deliberately misleading".

• Warning Against Disunity: CAN cautioned that Omolehin’s remarks were capable of undermining the unity of the Church and inflaming unnecessary tensions among the faithful.

• Denial of Financial Impropriety: The association explicitly denied receiving or managing the relief funds mentioned by the cleric, insisting that no such financial impropriety exists.

• Defense of Leaders: The association noted its deep concern over the "unwarranted references" to Adeboye, Oyedepo, and Kumuyi, stating that such rhetoric misleads the public and ignores the contributions of these respected leaders.

The Stance of the Association

CAN has issued what it described as a "firm and final caution" to Rev. Omolehin. The leadership maintained that the association remains united and warned that it will not tolerate the spread of falsehoods or any attempt to malign the Church's reputation or national cohesion.