The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) has dismissed the claims surrounding its founder, Apostle Ayo Babalola, about his wealth and family. This was contained in a reaction, yesterday, by the Director of Publicity, Christ Apostolic Church, Ade Alawode.
In a trending video on YouTube, Senior Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo, had allegedly made some public comments about the late cleric during a sermon.
Fatoyinbo described Babalola as “an anointed man,” citing instances where a python would cross his leg and dry up. He said, “So, all his grace just went like that? He didn’t have money. Where are his children?”
The religious institution described the question as “insensitive and ill-informed”, saying: “Ethically speaking, Apostle Babalola had children. Simple arithmetic should help you understand that they would be advanced in age by now, possibly your grandparents’ age. What did you hope to achieve with the mocking question, “Where are the children of Babalola?
“Your statement reflects more on the kind of company you keep, but as a preacher of the Word, shouldn’t your conduct and let your utterances be guided by Scripture?”
MEANWHILE, Fatoyinbo has said that at no time in his sermon did he refer to Ayo Babalola and his children in a bad light, saying that he would never do that.
The CAC recalled that Babalola was called into ministry at the age of 24, his donations to people even outside his family and the Queen Elisabeth II’s honour when she visited the country, saying: “When Queen Elizabeth II visited Nigeria in February 1956, Apostle Babalola was among the honoured guests. Would a man in rags be granted such recognition by a colonial government? Certainly not.
“He was not a fundraiser, yet God supplied his needs. His diaries are filled with divine provisions like “Ipese Olorun loni: £100.00, £50.00…. He lived in a befitting home, drove one of the best Ford Jeeps of his time, and funded weddings, education, and apprenticeship programmes — all without exploiting the pulpit.
HOWEVER, the first daughter of Ayo Babalola, Deaconess Eunice Wuraola Ogini, has urged Nigerian pastors to verify facts before making public statements.
Ogini, while speaking in response to Fatoyinbo’s claim, said her father lived a life of service to God and humanity, and that his children continued in his footsteps.
She faulted the claim that her father died poor or left no tangible legacy, stressing that both she and her sister were blessed and lived comfortable lives as a result of his values and generosity.
“My father, in his lifetime, preached the gospel of Christ without compromise.
“In his crusades, people would bring their idols and occult materials to be destroyed by fire. His emphasis was on repentance from sin, serving the Lord, and worshipping the living God. We, his children, followed his footsteps. I am a deaconess, prayer warrior, and Sunday school teacher in my church, while my sister, Dame Deborah Adeniyi, is a prayer warrior and an evangelist in her church and has been honoured with the Knighthood of John Wesley.”
She warned clerics to exercise caution when making references to church pioneers, urging them to “speak the truth with love” and honour the pulpit by avoiding “lies and speculations.”
FATOYINBO, in a statement yesterday, said: “My attention has been drawn to a statement credited to my person relating to the family of the late and highly revered Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, a most distinguished father of faith in Nigeria and indeed all over the world.
“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. I am indeed grateful.
“The exploits of Ayo Babalola, which in the video I stated explicitly are too numerous to count, remain the hallmark of most Christian organisations in Nigeria and beyond till this very moment.
“I am therefore honoured, humbled and grateful for every word, admonition and correction in the statement issued this morning by CAC. I am a child who grew up in the church and cannot erase that part of my formative years.
“At no time in the sermon did I refer to the children of the late Apostle and Father of faith in a bad light. I would never do that. The raw copy of the message is online, and this can be verified.
“I remain proud of their achievements and honour them in no small measure.
“Finally, 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 will never disrespect or speak of them in that manner, either publicly or privately.”
