Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, the leader of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), has issued a public apology to the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) over controversial remarks he made about its late founder, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola.
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According to a Thursday report, the controversy erupted after a viral sermon clip showed Fatoyinbo describing Apostle Babalola as “so anointed” but suggesting that “all the grace just went like that” because the late evangelist “had no money.” The CAC, in a statement signed by its Director of Publicity, Pastor Ade Alawode, accused Fatoyinbo of promoting a flawed and materialistic view of ministerial success.
Reacting to the backlash, Fatoyinbo released a statement clarifying his comments and apologizing for any hurt caused. He insisted that he never spoke negatively about Babalola’s children or his ministry and maintained that COZA was “a place of honour.”
“Let me state, however, that at no time in the sermon did I refer to the children of the late Apostle in bad light. I would never do that. The raw copy of the message is online and can be verified,” Fatoyinbo explained. “I apologise if any other statement made by me has caused any distress, hurt or discontentment to the CAC, the family of the late Apostle Babalola or his associates.”
He described Babalola as “a highly revered father of faith” whose ministry greatly influenced the Nigerian church, praying for his legacy to “continue to grow in leaps and bounds.”
The CAC’s statement reminded ministers that “to equate anointing or ministerial success with material wealth is biblically flawed,” quoting Luke 12:15 as a reminder that life does not consist in possessions.
The incident has sparked debates in Christian circles about the relationship between wealth and ministry, with many urging caution in interpreting historical figures’ legacies.
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