UMC Nigeria Bishop Refutes GMC Bishop's Allegations

by

Global UMC

A United Methodist Insight Special Report | May 1, 2025

Conflict between members of The United Methodist Church in Nigeria and supporters of the breakaway Global Methodist Church bubbled up again this week as bishops of the respective churches traded accusations via Facebook.

Former UMC bishop Scott J. Jones, now a Global Methodist Church bishop, posted the following statement April 30 on his personal Facebook page:

"I regretfully and reluctantly have come to the conclusion that the United Methodist Church in Nigeria is using violence as an intentional strategy. My wife and I were present and nearly caught up in one violent act. Since then, there have been too many incidents where UMC people have brought machetes and guns to a property currently controlled by the Global Methodist Church. People have died and been injured. Property has been stolen and homes set on fire.

"The GMC’s position is that we are willing for the courts to decide any claims that the UMC group wishes to bring. We believe that our position is strong and will be upheld by an honest judicial process. The four annual conferences voted unanimously to change their legal registration and to align with the Global Methodist Church. We are not a breakaway group, but we are the main Methodist group continuing the legacy of the last 100 years.

"The GMC Assembly of Bishops has issued a call to prayer for peace all over Africa, including Nigeria. May God intervene and bring peace in Nigeria and all of the continent."

UMC bishop responds

In Chicago attending his first meeting of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, newly elected Nigeria Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel posted a lengthy refutation of Jones' allegations. Bishop Emmanuel wrote:

"The United Methodist Church in Nigeria has read with great dismay the Facebook post made by Bishop Scott Jones concerning the state of affairs within our church in Nigeria. Frankly, we are deeply disappointed that such unfounded and misleading statements could come from someone who holds the office of a bishop.

"We therefore wish to clarify the following to the general public:

"1. False Accusations of Violence

"The allegation that the United Methodist Church in Nigeria is using violence as a strategy is not only false but aimed at misinforming the American public and the wider global church. At no time have members of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria taken up arms or engaged in violence against the Global Methodist Church or any other group. We are committed to peace, the rule of law, and the teachings of Jesus Christ. The one issue that Bishop Jones states was students who were angry that the GMC took over their seminary and destroyed United Methodist symbols and signs. The students were told by the police and local chief that this was the United Methodists seminary and that it did not belong to GMC. The confrontation occurred when the students confronted Bishop Jones and those gathered in The United Methodist Church.

"2. Property and Legal Disputes

"The breakaway members of the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria (GMCN) do not legally own any United Methodist Church properties in Nigeria. Their ongoing attempts to forcefully claim UMC properties have been legally challenged and are currently before the Federal High Court. United Methodists in Nigeria are law-abiding citizens and have always relied on lawful means to address these disputes. We urge the public to disregard the baseless accusations shared by Bishop Jones.

"3. No Valid Exit from the UMC

"It is important to state that the four Annual Conferences of the Nigeria Episcopal Area never voted to exit the United Methodist Church. If they had done so legitimately, they would have followed Paragraph 572 of the UMC Book of Discipline, which provides the only lawful exit process for Central Conferences. Nigerians are not naïve; they understand that due process must be followed. The GMCN’s departure was neither lawful under church law nor compliant with Nigerian legal requirements. Furthermore, the former bishop who claimed to preside over their so-called conferences resigned while facing formal complaints. Further the votes by annual conferences were not legal votes and did not follow the Book of Discipline. They were not properly called and convened by a bishop who resigned from The United Methodist Church.

"4. Unauthorized Presence at UMC Property

"In February, Bishop Scott Jones appeared at Banyam Theological Seminary—a property legally owned by the United Methodist Church in Nigeria—to conduct what he termed an annual conference, without the consent or knowledge of the UMC leadership in Nigeria. This action was not only disrespectful but a breach of both ecclesiastical and legal protocols.

"5. Our Commitment to Peace and Due Process

"As United Methodists in Nigeria, we remain committed to peace, justice, and lawful conduct. We are cooperating fully with local authorities and remain open to any investigation aimed at uncovering the truth and promoting peace.

"We call on Bishop Scott Jones and the Global Methodist Church to refrain from spreading misinformation and to instead embrace transparency, reconciliation, and respect for the global Methodist connection."

Longstanding conflict

Nigeria has been wracked with conflict for years between forces aligned with conservative splinter groups and United Methodists wishing to remain with the UMC.

Former UMC bishop John Wesley Yohanna announced July 29, 2024, that he and his cabinet were leaving The United Methodist Church to join the Global Methodist Church, a conservative denomination founded in 2022 by dissident United Methodists. While attempting to mediate between opposing forces in early July, retired Bishop John Schol was physically harassed by members of Yohanna's cabinet. A video of the incident shows a man shoving Bishop Schol while he attempted to meet with Yohanna's cabinet.

The GMC in Nigeria has attempted to claim United Methodist property, including a February assault on UMC-related Banyam Theological Seminary in Bambur, since last summer. That claim remains in legal dispute

In December, a 27-year-old church member and two infants were killed in Munga Dosso, and a United Methodist Church worship center was burned down in Keru, Benue District. In another incident April 14, a district parsonage was attacked, resulting in the shooting death of a church member and injuries to several others, including a pastor's widow.

Bishop Emmanuel and other Nigerian UMC leaders have insisted that violent incidents are caused by supporters of the Global Methodist Church, and that United Methodists have responded to protect themselves and church property.

Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight. She founded the online journal in 2011 as a media channel for news and views by, for and about marginalized and under-served United Methodists.