Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has warned those throwing tantrums and creating unnecessary tension among the people of the state that he is a governor who cannot succumb to any form of threats.
The governor, who was speaking as a guest preacher at the United Methodist Church of Nigeria (UMCN) Thanksgiving service of unity, peace and reconciliation, described those threatening comments as an empty threat to the peace and stability of the state.
He said that, as a governor, he owes the people the responsibility to be fair and just, and to safeguard their lives and property at all costs.
“If there is anybody threatening rain, storm, and thunder, that person should know that our God is a God of thunder.
“If we are truly children of God, we should stop all these empty threats, because I don’t succumb to threats, and as a governor in this state, this State is under my responsibility, and I am here to do justice, and we will do justice in Jesus’ name,” he said.
Governor Kefas then declared that today marks the end of division and the beginning of revival in Taraba State.
He expressed optimism that the church service at Jatutu Cathedral in Magami would heal many, restore relationships and mark the beginning of UMCN expansion.
“Today is a historic day not only for the UMCN in Jalingo, but for the entire body of Christ in Taraba State.”
Governor Kefas, who lamented that God’s sanctuary had been closed for more than a decade, also decried how people who once lived together and shared things in common were separated by pain, misunderstanding, and a leadership tussle.
“Today, we are not just reopening a structure; we are reopening an altar, and it is significant that this church traces its spiritual heritage to one of the greatest revivalists, John Wesley.
The gathering is about who was right or who was wrong. It is about healing, restoration, and it is about moving from the inheritance battle to kingdom assignment,” he emphasised.
He expressed his willingness to use his personal resources and assets to amicably resolve the issues at stake.
According to Kefas, before assuming leadership as governor of Taraba State, he acquired many material things that could resolve this issue.
“I can use whatever resources God has given me to resolve this issue. I am going to set up a committee to interact with the GMC and UMCN to review the issue and recommend possible areas of intervention.
“Whatever it will cause me materially in terms of money or property, I am ready to make that sacrifice.”
Governor Kefas, who led the Houses of Assembly as Speaker and Chief Judge of the state, among other top government officials, said, “Any problem that the government cannot solve is a spiritual problem, and any problem that the Clergies cannot solve does not exist.”
Earlier, the Resident Bishop of the Nigeria Episcopal Area and Mission District of Cameroon and Senegal, His Lordship Emmanuel Ande, thanked Governor Agbu Kefas for exhibiting statesmanship in reopening the church.
The UMCN Bishop was hopeful that the reopening of the church signifies the end of factionalism, division, and issues that have separated the church of God.
The Jatutu Memorial Cathedral of the UMCN, which was built over more than 35 years with a grant from its Global church, the African Church Growth and Development, was closed down by the Taraba State Government on 22 February 2016.
Representatives from Senegal, Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire also witnessed the unprecedented service that brought people from all walks of life, far and near to Jalingo, including church leaders, officials of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), traditional and community leaders, among others, amidst heavily armed security personnel to ensure there was no breach of law and order.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the church has been in dispute with its factional group, the Global Methodist Church of Nigeria (GMCN), over an alleged leadership tussle, missing N4 billion, an aircraft, and the alleged same-sex marriage endorsed by the UMCN body.
Before the directive to close down the church by the administration of Governor Dirus Ishaku, LEADERSHIP reports that several lives were lost to the deadly dispute.
Amidst the age-old crisis, the parallel GUMCN dragged UMCN to court over the church’s properties and assets spread across Nigeria, whereas the cases favoured UMCN.
For the members of UMCN, it was a moment of jubilation, joy and reconciliation, reflecting on God’s faithfulness despite all odds, animosity and enmity that hitherto halted the hosting of activities during the period under review.
