By Emmanuel Awari, Jalingo
Rev. Dr. Philip Micah Dopah, former chairman of the TEKAN/ECWA bloc in the Taraba chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has pledged to help the breakaway faction of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN)—now known as the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria (GMCN)—raise funds to build their headquarters in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
Speaking to journalists in Jalingo, Rev. Dr. Dopah criticized the GMCN’s alleged takeover of the UMCN headquarters in the city, describing the action as “unacceptable.”
He stated that the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria was facing severe financial difficulties, which he claimed was driving the group to claim UMCN properties illegally.
“The breakaway faction of the UMCN, now GMCN, are frustrated and currently facing financial difficulties,” Dopah said.
“This has made them resort to illegally acquiring properties belonging to the United Methodist Church of Nigeria, which is unacceptable. I have personally volunteered to help them raise funds to build their own headquarters and leave that of UMCN alone.”
Rev. Dr. Dopah likened the situation to a previous separation within the Mambilla Baptist Church, where he said there was no dispute over shared properties.
He warned the GMCN leadership of potential consequences if they did not reconsider their actions, stating that “nemesis would catch up with them if they refuse to repent.”
Describing the GMCN as a “global pandemic,” Dopah alleged that the group came into existence through deceit.
In response, the Bishop of the Global Methodist Church Nigeria Episcopal Area, Rev. Dr. John Pena Auta, dismissed Dopah’s claims, asserting that the former CAN official was no longer a member of the church.
“Micah Dopah has not been a member of the church for the past twelve years. He was the first to break away from the church, and he is currently occupying properties in Zing, Yorro, and other locations illegally,” said Auta.
“It is laughable for him to claim he will raise funds for us. We are not bankrupt and have all we need to do the work of God. He has no power to raise funds for us in any way.”
Auta further challenged Dopah to focus on building his own church’s headquarters instead of meddling in GMCN affairs.
The ongoing dispute underscores tensions within the Methodist community in Nigeria, as the GMCN seeks to establish its identity while addressing issues of property ownership and financial stability.