Newly formed GMCN claims ownership of UMCN property

Leadership of the newly formed Global Methodist Church Nigeria (GMCN) has declared that all property of the former United Methodist Church Nigeria (UMCN) now belongs to it.  

The declaration comes amid speculations about the ownership of UMCN’s assets.  In a formal announcement made yesterday in Jalingo, Taraba, the outgoing Bishop, John Wesley Yohanna, while introducing his successor, Rev John Pena Auta, who clarified that the property dispute belongs to the Global Methodist, claimed that he had all necessary documents confirming  GMCN’s ownership of UMCN assets.
  
Rebranding of the church from UMCN to GMCN, as made known by him, was driven by the former’s decision to embrace LGBTQ inclusivity, which, according to Yohanna, conflicted with the beliefs of a segment of the congregation.
  
Declaring that “UMCN is no longer in existence,” the former bishop, urged church members to unite behind the new leadership.
 
Also addressing allegations that he was seeking to remain as a permanent bishop, Yohanna announced: “I am retired, and I have handed over all church properties to the new leadership of the church.”

The board of trustees, on its part, collaborated with Yohanna, questioning the legitimacy of UMCN members’ claims to the church properties. A board member remarked: “We simply changed our name. We are still Methodist, but now global. All the allegations about the properties are baseless.”
 
One of the trustees, Mike Dio, who also serves as a member of the Taraba State House of Assembly, expressed confidence that Governor Agbu Kefas would support the new church leadership in resolving the conflict.  He highlighted the governor’s reputation as a “man of God” and expected that all sealed church buildings would soon reopen for worship.
  
The new bishop outlined his vision for the church, calling for unity and urging members to put aside their differences, admonishing: “Our dreams for the church can only be realised if we work together.”