By James Yahemba, Jalingo
The Bishop of the United Methodist Church of Nigeria (UMCN), Emmanuel Ande, on Sunday said the church is currently mobilising its members for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voter registration ahead of Governor Agbu Kefas’ second term bid.
Ande disclosed this during a reconciliation service at the UMCN Cathedral in Jalingo, stating that the church has so far mobilised over 400,000 members for the registration exercise.
“Out of the over 1,200,000 population of UMCN members in Taraba, we have mobilised more than 400,000 so far for the INEC voter registration ahead of the 2027 election in support of Governor Kefas.
“UMCN has taken the governor’s second term as a project that needs to be executed. The reconciliation of members by the governor and his desire for total peace in Taraba informed our decision,” Bishop Ande said.
The bishop also debunked claims that UMCN was encouraging same-sex marriage.
“The UMCN does not support same-sex marriage. It is not biblical practice. We are against it.
“Some members of the church became aggrieved over leadership tenure and decided to portray UMCN in that direction,” he explained.
Bishop Ande further stated that the reopening of UMCN churches across Taraba by Governor Kefas, after ten years of crisis, signified a return of lasting peace to the state.
He thanked the governor for his efforts in restoring peace within the UMCN family.
Meanwhile, Governor Kefas said the decision to reconcile the congregation and reopen the church was in the interest of peace.
The governor called on Christians from all denominations to unite as one people with the shared mandate of winning souls for Christ.
