A recent sermon by Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) has sparked intense debate within Nigeria’s Christian community. The controversy centres on remarks Fatoyinbo made about the late Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, the first General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC).
In a now-viral video clip, Fatoyinbo praised Babalola as “anointed… so anointed,” but controversially claimed that “all the grace just went like that” because the evangelist “had no money.” He also recounted an incident where a python reportedly dried up after crossing Babalola’s leg.
Fatoyinbo said, “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.”
The Christ Apostolic Church swiftly responded with a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday by its Director of Publicity, Pastor Ade Alawode. The CAC accused Fatoyinbo of promoting a misleading association between ministerial success and material wealth.
The statement read, “Ordinarily, we do not respond to social media commentaries or controversies. However, we consider it necessary to address your recent statements, which have been widely circulated on your social media platforms.
“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).”
The CAC also sought to clarify the legacy of Apostle Babalola, insisting he was not poor, lived in a “befitting home,” owned one of the best Ford Jeeps of his era, and provided generously for many beyond his biological children.
“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,” Alawode added.
The church further noted that Babalola’s two surviving children are “blessed, fulfilled, and quietly serving the Lord in their respective churches. They are not loud, ostentatious, or greedy.”
The controversy has reignited discussions about the relationship between spiritual anointing and material wealth in Nigerian Christianity, with many debating the appropriateness of Fatoyinbo’s remarks.
