Me? Force her into prostitution? I don’t know where you got the story that I forced Georgina into prostitution, the girl was already one. I just told her to be useful with it.

Look, I am an old man and I have seen my share of this life, so you can’t come to me, accusing me of what I didn’t do, I won’t accept it!

Georgina herself will not come to me to say I pushed her into ‘ashawo’ work. It is something she enjoys doing.

I am a retired officer of the law. I retired as a Sergeant after 35 years! When I was on the job, I provided for my family the best way I could. We lived in the barracks until I had to retire. I had to give up the flat I was given. That’s what happens when you retire. I retired due to an injury I suffered while off duty.

See my leg…it refused to heal…that’s why I look older than 62 years. It’s a long story but I want to respond to the accusation you brought here.

I agree that I had too many children, I had 8 children with my wife. You know, I also lived rough. I drink a lot because…life is harsh!

I had just one wife, Obiageli. She was Georgina’s mother. My wife died in the accident I told you I got injured from. Anyway, I couldn’t function properly as an officer even though my commanding officer really tried for me. I was still on the job for 7 more years before I had to go into early retirement. My gratuity was paid 4 and a half years after I retired.

When we first moved out of the barracks, we came straight here, Ajegunle. The cost of getting a house wasn’t much then. Then when I got my gratuity, I bought an Okada to use to make more money to feed my children.

Georgina has always been wayward

Not all my children live with me; the three older boys have left home; two are mechanics and one is in Abuja working in a supermarket. The fourth child, a girl, Justina, is working for one madam. She doesn’t live with me, she lives with the madam. Georgina is next, the third to the last. From the very beginning, she had been a wild child!

When we were still at the barracks, my wife was always quarreling with Georgina because we often heard stories that she was sleeping around!

We heard that she had slept with all the boys in the barracks! My own child! She wasn’t even doing it for money!

Look, no parent wants that but Georgina is wild!

We tried to discipline her but she was just too wild. She would run away from the house for days. I agree the conditions at home weren’t great, but I did my best. I was given a two-room flat. My wife and two of our youngest children slept in one room. The others shared the other room. The house was choked.

The conditions were horrible; you know police barracks, now. But that was all I could provide for them. After all, there were other officers too, like me, with many children, in the same conditions and their children were not wayward like Georgina. So I can’t blame the environment.

Georgina was 15 years old when all this nonsense began. Even though I knew some of the officers and boys she was said to be sleeping with, I couldn’t confront them, I faced my own child and disciplined her!

Then after we had to leave the barracks, after my wife had died…you know, I couldn’t even afford to rent a room. I still had five of my children living with me. Maybe, say four because Georgina was never fully living with us. Justina, the one senior to Georgina, hadn’t got a job with the madam at that time.
We moved to Ajegunle

I moved to Ajegunle. It was cheaper and we rented this place. It’s on top of a dump, but this is where we call home. This is what I could afford. I couldn’t do any other job. Even as a security guard, nobody wanted a security guard with a bad leg.

When I got my gratuity, I bought Okada to use for business and feed my children. The remaining three boys were in school, Jakande Secondary School.

As for Georgina, I only saw her a few times, her involvement in prostitution will not let us see her regularly.

As you know, Okada business isn’t lucrative anymore. When government banned Okada in many places, many of the riders came to our area to do business. So, there are too many of us here. And look at me, I am an old man, how many rides would I make to earn even N3, 000 per day?

I used to make up to N5, 000 sometimes, N6, 000 per day but since everywhere here is Okada, Okada… business is bad now!

Ok, so feeding the children, and even buying school shoes and clothes was a problem for me. That’s when I told Georgina to be “useful”, I told her, if she is fully into prostitution, she should at least use it to bring food home to us.

The other day, the landlord increased our rent; yes, this zinc house has a landlord. The man increased the rent. I couldn’t afford the increase on top of feeding three children. I also knew the man had been eyeing Georgina on the days he comes here and sees her. So, I told her to go and meet the landlord and “settle” with him so that he won’t increase our rent.

She refused to help with proceeds from her prostitution!
She said, “no!”

I got angry. She began to abuse me openly and called me all sorts of names, saying I was asking her to engage in prostitution!

That’s when I said, “If you are using your toto for fun, at least, use it to help your family. I hear you sleep with everything that had something between their legs, your business no dey hep your family?”
Well, she went, she went to do what she knows how to do and the landlord has changed his tone, we are no longer owing rent…for now.

Maybe that’s what the neighbours heard and are saying I am forcing her into prostitution. Is it the prostitution she isn’t already in?

Is it today she has been sleeping around?

The girl is very stupid, other girls around here are doing it and building houses for their parents, she is just giving out her own for free!

That’s all I am saying, “If you will sleep around, use it to help us!”

Is that one by force?

[Src: VANGUARD]

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released detained #EndBadGovernance protesters who participated in the recent August 1-10 anti-hunger protests across the country.

LEADERSHIP learnt that the development followed the directive of the new director-general of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, that all those arrested during the protest and cleared of any wrongdoing be released immediately.

Confirming this, a security source, who was in the know, said the DSS boss had on September 19, 2024, “directed the immediate release of protesters who were arrested for their various roles in the #Endbadgovernance protests.”

The source further stated that in line with the directive, six persons held in Kaduna (names withheld) have been released immediately.

The source also noted that “three (other suspects) are being prosecuted for established prima facie cases.”

Another security source further noted that “the DG DSS reiterated citizen’s right to peaceful protest as enshrined in the constitution and regard for the rule of law, even as he is resolute on upholding the mandate of the Service of decisively investigating and bringing to justice those who exploit such rights to perpetrate crime.”

Meanwhile, one of the released protesters, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, commended the gesture for his release and expressed optimism on the humane face with which the Service conducted the investigation.

Election Observers have raised concerns about the transperency of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ongoing Edo election.

They include Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Yiaga Africa, Kimpact Development Initiative, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, ElectHER and TAF Africa

According to them “We, the undersigned accredited civil society organizations observing the 2024 Edo governorship elections, express concern over the transparency of the ongoing results collation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Reports of disruptions at ward and local government collation centers, including intimidation of INEC officials and attempts to collate results contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, raise significant concerns about the credibility of the results collation process. We acknowledge INEC’s recent statement recognizing reports of result mutilation and its commitment to investigate and address any proven violations.”

They added: “In light of this, we urge INEC to invoke its powers under Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 to review any declarations and returns where results were not declared voluntarily or violated provisions of the electoral act and INEC regulations, and guidelines.

“We further call on security agencies to refrain from interference in the collation process and to ensure that accredited party agents, the media, and election observers are granted full access to collation centers. We wish to emphasize that the role of security agencies in the election is to safeguard the process and not to create a situation that will undermine the transparency of the process and thus impact negatively on the credibility of the outcome of the election.”

Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki on Sunday explained that he visited the State Collation Centre where the results of Saturday’s governorship election which took place in the state was being collated for him to get first-hand information about the process.

LEADERSHIP reported that Obaseki was walked out of the Collation Centre in Benin City on Sunday morning by the mobile policemen led by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the election, DIG Frank Mba following protests amongst opposition parties in the State.

Obaseki explained that his visit to the centre followed the failure to reach the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State, Anugbum Onuoha.

He added that he made several attempts to reach Onuoha all to no avail.

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has voiced strong concerns about the ongoing election.

Naija News reports that Ighodalo suggested that the election may go down in history as the worst election ever held in Nigeria due to widespread irregularities.

During a live press conference on Sunday, organized by the Edo PDP National Campaign Council and led by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Ighodalo raised alarms over alleged manipulations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The press conference also saw the attendance of Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki.

“The way this election is going, it is set to be the worst election in the history of this country,” Ighodalo declared.

He cited numerous instances of election malpractices at various polling units, raising questions about the integrity of the results being declared.

“In Ikpoba/Okha Ologbo, the figure for accredited voters was NIL, but the results claimed the APC had 227 votes, while the PDP had 103. How is that even possible?” Ighodalo questioned.

He further highlighted similar anomalies in other polling units in the same area.

“In another unit in Ikpoba/Okha Ologbo, the number of accredited voters was recorded as 156, but the APC was declared to have won 2,110 votes, while the PDP received just 57 votes, and no votes were recorded for the Labour Party,” he added.

Some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel some polling units results in line with the Electoral Acts.

The CSOs, Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Yiaga Africa, Kimpact Development Initiative Nigerian Women Trust Fund, ElectHER and TAF Africa, in a joint statement, on Sunday, slammed personnel of Nigeria security agencies deployed in Saturday’s Edo governorship election for unprofessional conduct.

The Edo Governorship election observer groups added that there are reports of disruptions at ward and local government collation centers.

It read: “We, the undersigned accredited civil society organizations observing the 2024 Edo governorship elections, express concern over the transparency of the ongoing results collation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Reports of disruptions at ward and local government collation centers, including intimidation of INEC officials and attempts to collate results contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, raise significant concerns about the credibility of the results collation process.

“We acknowledge INEC’s recent statement recognizing reports of result mutilation and its commitment to investigate and address any proven violations.

“In light of this, we urge INEC to invoke its powers under Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 to review any declarations and returns where results were not declared voluntarily or violated provisions of the electoral act and INEC regulations, and guidelines.”

The statement added: “We further call on security agencies to refrain from interference in the collation process and to ensure that accredited party agents, the media, and election observers are granted full access to collation centers. We wish to emphasize that the role of security agencies in the election is to safeguard the process and not to create a situation that will undermine the transparency of the process and thus impact negatively on the credibility of the outcome of the election.”

Nigerian-British professional boxer, Anthony Joshua, has ruled out quitting boxing after his fourth loss on Saturday to Daniel Dubios.

Naija News reported that Anthony Joshua was knocked out in the fifth round by Daniel Dubois to retain his International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight title.

Speaking at a post-match conference, the Nigerian-British boxer, when asked if he would fight in 2025, said he took a shot at success but came short.

“You are probably asking if I still want to continue fighting.. of course I want to continue fighting.

“That is what I said, we took a shot at success and we came up short. What does that mean now – are we going to run away or are we going to live to fight another day?

“That is what I am, I am a warrior, and also before I finish, we have to give credit to our opponent, Daniel.”

Joshua also added that the fifth-round punch of the 27-year-old Dubios knocked him out because of a few mistakes he made.

He, however, explained that he has learned from his mistakes.

“Even though when I sign up to fight opponents I don’t really like them in my head anymore, but now it is done, I take my hat off to him and say well done to him and his team.

“And also thank you to my team as well for the way they prepared me, there were a few mistakes in there but that is the name of the game, fine margins will cost you at the top level,” Anthony Joshua added.

World Heavyweight Boxing Champion and British boxer, Tyson Fury, has disclosed why Nigerian-British boxer, Anthony Joshua, did not make it past the fifth round in Saturday’s match.

Naija News reported that Anthony Joshua was knocked out by Daniel Dubois, during the International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight match on Saturday.

The 34-year-old Joshua, has, however, ruled out quitting from boxing after his fourth professional defeat.

However, speaking to journalists after the Wembley match, Fury advised fans not to be harsh on Joshua. He noted that Dubois was younger.

Fury explained that despite being ruled out by many, Joshua put up a strong fight during the match.

“He did a very good job and fair play to young Dan. Everybody wrote him off, you know. Coming here he was the world champion and everybody treated him like he was a bum and he showed what he is made of and it’s very good for him, fantastic, fair play.

“It’s heavyweight boxing, it happens, you get knocked spark out, it could’ve been me, in the heavyweight division that is what happens, one punch from being smashed, knocked out,” the British boxer said.

Speaking on what led to the loss, Fury continued, ‘I think what went wrong, for Joshua, is what always goes wrong in heavyweight boxing, a good right-hander on the end of the chin, and that was it.“

The saying, “what a man can do, a woman can do even better”, may not be entirely true when it comes to church administration and management.

This notwithstanding that women are said to possess spiritual depth, relational skill, integrative thinking, tender courage and high in emotional intelligence, which are key to success in any endeavour, especially in church ministry.

Nigeria is a country with a rich history of Christianity, and women have played a significant role in its growth.

In recent years, there has been a growing number of female pastors in the country who founded churches or inherited ones founded by their late husbands.

As evident across the country, several Nigerian women have stepped into their deceased husbands’ shoes to become church overseers.

For many of these women, it was a huge struggle fitting into the big shoes left behind by their founders.
Meanwhile, most of the women who took over the churches after their husbands’ demise have faced significant challenges in maintaining the large followings and influence of the churches.

However, while some have gone into oblivion, others have struggled to sustain the momentum and keep up with the standards set by their deceased spouses.

Challenges

Some of the challenges in their management and retention of members, Sunday Vanguard observed, include lack of charisma.

Some of the widows do not possess the same level of charisma and leadership qualities that their husbands had, making it difficult to connect with the congregation and inspire loyalty.

Limited experience is another important factor.

Many of these women were not actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the church before their husbands’ passing, leaving them with a steep learning curve and limited experience in managing a large congregation.

Succession question

Expectedly, each time a notable man of God passes on, there is apprehension about leadership succession in their churches because of doubts, and belief from some quarters that women should not head or manage churches, especially in patriarchal societies like Nigeria.

But with the churches largely seen as part of family businesses, it would be futile to try to dislodge the widows or even the sons or daughters of the founders after their demise, regardless of whether or not they adequately prepared for succession.

Meanwhile, some of the churches’ members tried to resist the leadership of some of these women pastors, leading to a decline in attendance and support while others challenged the female pastors’ authority, leading to power struggles and divisions within the church.

Again, it was observed that the some of these widowed pastors have different theological perspectives or preaching styles compared to their husbands.

The emotional connection and personal relationships that the late pastors had with their members was difficult for their widows to replicate, leading to a sense of disconnection, dissatisfaction, disagreements, and drift among the congregation.

As widows, they also face the added responsibility of caring for their families while leading the church and managing its financial resources.

The pressure to maintain their late husbands’ legacies while forging their own paths has overwhelmed some of them. On the spotlight are:

Margaret Idahosa

Margaret is the wife of the founding Archbishop of Church of God Mission International (CGM), and was called into ministry after the death of her husband, Archbishop Benson Idahosa, to fill the vacuum created since her husband did not announce any successor before his death.

She took over the leadership of the church in March 1998, and became the first African female Archbishop.
Idahosa, 81, is renowned for her religious, educational, and philanthropic work.

Twenty six years later, the church has grown in leaps and bounds with investment in several endeavours – education and health among others.

A visit to Faith Arena, the international headquarters of the church in Benin City recently, showed a serene, clean and spacious environment with most of the buildings in splendid white.

The service started with Sunday School Class at exactly 8 am with members grouped in different locations inside the main auditorium which is a two storey structure.

The auditorium is designed in such a way that from wherever one is seated, he or she would see the altar.
By 8:25 am, a convoy of four vehicles arrived the premises and from an unmarked black Mercedes Benz mini-bus alighted the legendary Archbishop Margaret Idahosa accompanied by his son, Bishop FEB (Faith Emmanuel Benson) Idahosa, and other aides and they all walked into the auditorium where she took her seat in a decorated chair obviously specially made for her.

It was a family like atmosphere as a show of love pervaded the air with most of the men in their all white apparel with mufflers as that Sunday was their thanksgiving service after the Men’s Convention.

Among the congregation were students of the Benson Idahosa University founded by the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa.

It was obvious that the philosophy of the late Idahosa with which he founded the church was planted in the widow which she had transferred to the children.

However, the octogenarian has managed to maintain a significant following, but encountered resistance from some members who opposed her leadership style.

She was involved in legal battles with her stepson, Bishop Faith Idahosa, over the control of the church.
There were also unproven allegations of mismanagement of church funds and assets.
This posed a problem in maintaining her husband’s legacy.

One of the members of the private staff of Idahosa who was present when he died in March 1998, Mrs Vera Akpeji, told Sunday Vanguard that the success of the church hinged on the ability of the widow to carry everybody along.

“I will say the grace of God is what has taken the church to this level. Also, Mama was open to all when Papa Idahosa died”, Akpeji told Sunday Vanguard.

“Even though there were some issues, Mama Idahosa called on everybody to join hands with her. This sincere call by Mama motivated many of the workers to join her to build the church to this level.”

Also, Deacon Peter Ogbeide, who said he joined the church in Iyaro in 1974 before it moved to the Miracle Centre, said Archbishop Margaret Idahosa is an example of the capacity of women which is usually underrated. 

Ogbeide, who disclosed that he worked as a labourer to build the church as a young man, said: “After Papa Idahosa’s demise, we never expected that there would be continuation of his ministry but we were shocked that Mama Idahosa continued and sustained what her husband started and what he stood for.

“It is a very good thing to see that she continued the legacies, the expansion of the church, the building of the university which is now in a permanent site, the Bible School and several others.”

Nkechi Anayo-Iloputaife

Nkechi was married to the late founder of Victory Christian Church, Bishop Harford Iloputaife.
On February 4, 1995, the Iloputaifes’ lives took an unexpected turn.

She and her husband had just returned home from greeting relatives in Lagos when armed gunmen burst into the house and attacked everyone inside.

After beating the pastors, they ordered them to lie on the floor.

The gunmen did shoot, hitting the bishop in the head and his wife in her right arm. Thinking they were both dead, the gunmen left.

The bishop died five days later in hospital at the age of 36 years but Nkechi survived.

Life of service

The widow was described by her church members as a unique leader who has truly lived a life of service as she has dedicated most of her time and resources to giving back to the ministry and society especially the less privileged.

“Pastor Nkechi always celebrates her birthday with orphans and the needy despite the pressures of the ministry”, said a church member who did not want her name to be mentioned.

“Being a woman in a male-dominated sector, her effort is nothing short of remarkable.

“There are various initiatives that she put in place for members and non-members. “These initiatives have been helping in the growth of the church. She has over the years provided scholarships to more than 50 children.”

Another worshipper, who simply identified herself as Tina, said: “Despite challenges involved in ministry, mummy has been so resolute and dedicated in her service to God and humanity.

“She is a mother with the heart of gold, visionary leader, and evangelist.

“She has set up vocational and business training for the needy and provided finance for small business start-ups.

“Another wonderful initiative was the creation of a program called ‘Shalom Shop’. This is a shop where you can purchase anything such as foods, clothes, shoes, electronics etc without paying immediately. “The shop also provides school items such as books and writing materials and it’s funded by Apostle Nkechi and runs on the back of donations from church members. It has been in existence for over nine years”. 

Despite these wonderful initiatives, Nkechi has struggled to maintain the church’s membership and influence, with some members defecting to other churches.

She has also struggled to maintain the church’s financial stability even as allegations of nepotism and favoritism in the appointment of church leaders once rocked the church.

Evelyn Joshua

Before the sudden demise of her husband, Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua (TB Joshua), the founder of the Synagogue Church of Nation (SCOAN), on Saturday, June 5, 2021, little was known about Prophetess Evelyn Joshua because she was supporting her husband and contributing to the growth of the church from the background.

One of the ways she supported was by establishing and nurturing the Sunday School Department of the church.
After assuming office as the leader of SCOAN and becoming the President of Emmanuel Global Network (Owners of Emmanuel TV), cynics said Evelyn was too soft to step into the TB Joshua’s shoes.

Some members said they missed the late founder’s charismatic leadership style.

But Pastor Evelyn has been able to stabilise the church in her capacity as a prophetess and Senior Pastor and has weathered the storm of deliberate and calculated campaigns targeted at her person and the SCOAN.
When our reporter visited the church premises recently, he observed a lot of changes.

Unlike the era of the late TB Joshua, the security personnel were more friendly and courteous while worshippers in their thousands thronged the church building and environs for a divine touch or healing.
Many of the worshippers approached by our reporter refused to speak except one Mr. Uche who said he had been in the church for over 10 years.

“Skeptics had thought that The Synagogue would die with the visioner, Prophet Joshua, either from leadership crisis or from perceived lack of acceptance or lesser anointing by Pastor Evelyn”, Uche said.

“Her leadership is still pointing to the unbroken continuity of God’s presence and power in SCOAN”.

While there is a deliberate and sustained campaign to preserve legacy of the late prophet, the new leader of SCOAN has been struggling to maintain the church’s international standing and following.

SCOAN has a significant international following, and the prophetess has struggled to maintain this standing and attract new international members.

Emmanuel TV, the face of the church, experienced reduced viewership following some allegations against the church and its inability to produce new content after TB Joshua’s death.

Just a few years in the saddle, Emmanuel TV’s YouTube channel was terminated for allegedly violating hate speech policies.

Not only that, the TV station was removed from DSTV and GOTV on account of poor viewership by MultiChoice, just as its satellite channel was closed by StarSat and other pay-TV platforms.

Meanwhile, signs that the crowds SCOAN was pulling when TB Joshua was alive have gone are everywhere in Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos where the church is located. 

The traffic jam usually caused by worshippers anytime there was service is no longer there.

And when the founder was alive, hospitality was a thriving business in the area as church services attracted people from far and near in search of ‘miracle’ and many of them usually lodged in nearby hotels.

The development prompted the building of scores of hotels in the area, with many taking loans to do so.

Even the large crowds were such that many landlords were said to have let out their houses to worshippers who could not afford to stay in hotels for a fee.

But today, many hotel owners in the area are lamenting poor patronage because ‘miracle’ that was bringing worshippers from across the country and beyond to the church is gone with the death of the SCOAN founder.

Sarah Omakwu

Sarah is the widow of Inalegwu Omakwu, founder and Senior Pastor of Family Worship Center, Abuja.
The husband died in Los Angeles, United States of America in 2003, after battling brain cancer for three years.

Sarah took over the leadership of the ministry as Senior Pastor, steering the church and also serving as the chief operating officer of the Christian Broadcasting Network International. Pastor Sarah, as she is fondly called, is known for her charismatic leadership style and her commitment to helping the vulnerable. Church members expressed positive sentiments about her leadership and ministry.

A worshipper, who gave his name as Emma, told Sunday Vanguard: “Pastor Sarah is a mother to many, a true vessel of God’s love and care.

“Her teachings have transformed my life, and her compassion has helped me through difficult times”.
“She is a powerful woman of God, an inspiration to many”, said another church member who didn’t want his name mentioned.

“Her dedication to serving the Lord and humanity is remarkable”, the member said. “Under her guidance, the church has grown, and so have I. Her sermons are insightful, and her love for God and humanity is contagious.” 

While Sarah has maintained a loyal following, she has faced challenges in expanding the church’s reach and influence beyond its existing membership.

Mercy Ezekiel

Reverend Mercy Ezekiel officially became the General Overseer of the Christian Pentecostal Mission, CPM, in 2021, after the death of her husband and founder of the ministry, Bishop Obiora Ezekiel.
The deceased, who passed on at 78, battled health challenges which resulted in his blindness about 20 years before his death.

And Rev Mercy had been managing the church in her capacity as Senior Pastor before the death of her husband.
She was also the National and International Coordinator of the church.

Her passion for soul winning, evangelism, prophetic gifts and many more, according to some of the church members, have kept the ministry moving and alive.

“Mummy is a woman of passion, as her name is Mercy, so she is, always caring and showing mercy to people, especially the needy”, a CPM member who spoke anonymously told Sunday Vanguard.

“Being a woman endowed with spiritual gifts, and filled with the anointing of God for deliverance, she founded an outreach known as Meez Outreach.

“There is also a faith clinic, a non-denominational outreach where men and women with problems come to pray and, by faith, their problems are solved through the power and the anointing of God in Rev Mercy’s life.
“Business Commission is for businessmen and women while the prenatal clinic is a forum for women looking for the fruit of the womb and God has used Mercy Ezekiel to put laughter in many families.”

Rev Mercy has managed to maintain a significant following, but has faced challenges in form of resistance from some members who opposed her leadership style.

She has struggled to maintain the church’s growth and expansion.

Her leadership is also characterised by allegations of nepotism in the appointment of church leaders.