Drama as church members protest in Gombe against LGBTQ Rights

Hundreds of members of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Gombe State have protested against a split group that they say is fighting for LGBTQ rights and regional independence.

During a protest at the Northern and Central Nigeria Annual Conferences in Gondum village, Shongom local government area of Gombe State, the members took a strong stand against LGBTQ rights.

Protesters held signs that said they were against LGBTQ rights and regionalisation. They said they wanted the church to be one and were against what they called “unholy acts.”

Residency Bishop of the Nigeria United Methodist Church, Yohana Wesley, said that the factional group was disowned because they wouldn’t follow the rules.

Chipau Kiliyobas, who is in charge of the Connectional Ministry at the Northern Nigeria UMC Annual Conference, said that the main reason for the fight between the two groups was their difference over regionalisation and LGBTQ issues.

Bishop John Schol, speaking for the Council of Bishops from the United States, tried to bring all church members together and bring the different groups together.

His words, however, were met with opposition from the protesters.

Schol made it clear that regional choices about same-sex marriage would be accepted and not imposed by the global church. However, the protesters refused to change their minds about not supporting LGBTQ rights.

Traditionalists and most people in the church think that LGBTQ acts are immoral, and their protest made it clear that they are strongly against recognising these rights in the church community.