NIGERIA: Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, leader of the Commonwealth Of Zion Assembly, COZA, has withdrawn earlier comments he made about the late Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola and has apologised to the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC).
In a widely shared video, Fatoyinbo had described Apostle Babalola as “anointed… so anointed” but also said, “all the grace just went like that” because he “had no money.”
The CAC reacted strongly, saying his words gave a wrong impression that ministerial success was tied to wealth. The church in its statement said it was wrong to measure spiritual power by material riches.
Responding, Fatoyinbo issued a statement admitting the concerns raised by the CAC and asking for forgiveness. “Let me state however that at no time in the sermon did I refer to the children of the late Apostle and Father of faith in bad light. I would never do that. The raw copy of the message is online and this can be verified,” he said.
“I would never in any way of manner take lightly the grace over Apostle Babalola, his children or his ministry for granted or speak lightly of same,” he added.
He called Apostle Babalola a “highly revered father of faith” whose work had influenced many churches, including his own. He also prayed that Babalola’s legacy “continues to grow in leaps and bounds.”
“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,” he said.
“I pray that this puts to rest the entire episode and we pray that the CAC and the legacy of our father Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, continues to grow in leaps and bounds,” he concluded.
In the sermon that caused the controversy, Fatoyinbo also spoke about a miracle story linked to Babalola. “I was studying recently about what Apostle Babalola did. I stand to be corrected. What God did through Smith Wigglesworth, if they had documented what God did in the life of that man (Babalola), people would be coming here for pilgrimage. He was anointed. So anointed. Anointed man. Heavy-duty grace, but no money. So all the grace just went like that,” he said.
The CAC’s response also noted: “In one of your trending messages on YouTube, you acknowledged that Apostle Babalola was highly anointed but ‘had no money,’ and then went on to ask sarcastically, ‘Where are his children?’ — a question that was both insensitive and ill-informed. To equate anointing or ministerial success with material wealth is biblically flawed. The words of Jesus are clear: Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” — Luke 12:15.
