Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, the Lead Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), has come forward to clarify his controversial remarks about the late Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, following public backlash from the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) and Babalola’s daughter, Eunice Wuraola Ogini.
The controversy began after Fatoyinbo, in a widely shared sermon, stated that Apostle Babalola was highly anointed but “had no money.”
Many church members, religious leaders, and followers considered the statements misleading and disrespectful to one of Nigeria’s most revered gospel preachers.
In response to the uproar, Pastor Fatoyinbo clarified in a recent sermon that his words had been taken out of context. He emphasized that he never intended to disrespect Apostle Babalola, whom he described as a pastor he deeply admired and whose church he attended during his youth.
Fatoyinbo explained that his comments aimed to teach young pastors the importance of financial stewardship in growing a ministry, highlighting that resources could enhance spiritual impact and church administration.
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Eunice Wuraola Ogini, first daughter of the late Apostle Babalola, had earlier called on religious leaders to avoid spreading unverified information about her father.
In a statement, she stressed that her father preached the gospel of Christ without compromise and urged ministers to verify facts before making public assertions. “Ministers of God should honour the Lord on the pulpit and speak nothing but the truth with love and respect,” she said, referencing biblical guidance from Colossians 4:6.
The Christ Apostolic Church’s Director of Publicity, Pastor Ade Alawode, also weighed in, insisting that Fatoyinbo’s statement was inaccurate. In an official release, Alawode criticized the insinuation that anointing or spiritual success should be measured by material wealth.
“Equating ministerial anointing with financial status is biblically flawed,” he said, describing the comments as both insensitive and ill-informed.
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