D-I-S-C-L-A-I-M-E-R: C.C.C WORLDWIDE CONDEMNS DESECRATION OF FOUNDER’S IMAGE, DISOWNS LAGOS AND IBADAN POLITICAL MEGA RALLIES

Church invokes Constitution, rejects use of Oshoffa’s image to promote opposing political candidates, threatens sanctions

The Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide has condemned in strong terms the unauthorised use of its name, image and revered Founder’s portrait to promote partisan political interests, declaring that the practice is unacceptable and must stop immediately.

The Church is particularly concerned by reports that some of its members have announced political rallies under the banner of Celestial Mega Rally in Lagos and Ibadan, using the name and image of the Church to promote candidates belonging to opposing political parties.

In Lagos, posters advertising a Celestial Mega Rally reportedly featured the photographs of a political party’s governorship and deputy governorship candidates. In a separate development, another group announced a similar rally in Ibadan, using posters bearing the photograph of the presidential candidate of an opposing political party.

Even more disturbing is that the posters for both political rallies reportedly carry a prominent photograph of the revered Founder of the Celestial Church of Christ, Saint Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa, of blessed memory.

The juxtaposition of the Founder’s sacred legacy with the campaign imagery of candidates from opposing political parties raises grave concerns about the misuse of the Church’s heritage and the attempt, whether intended or otherwise, to suggest that the Founder’s image or the institution he established lends legitimacy to partisan political causes.

The Church regards its Founder’s memory, name and legacy with profound reverence. His portrait must not be deployed as a political accessory or used to create an impression that the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide endorses a candidate, party or political movement.

To use the image of Saint Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa to promote opposing political interests is an affront to the dignity of his memory and a troubling distortion of the spiritual values and institutional identity of the Church he founded. The Founder’s legacy belongs to the Church and its spiritual heritage; it must not be appropriated to serve individual ambitions or partisan interests.

The development is especially troubling because the use of the same revered image in materials promoting candidates from opposing political parties risks presenting the Church as politically divided or institutionally aligned with competing political interests. The Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide rejects any such implication.

This abuse and unauthorised appropriation of the Church’s name, image and heritage must not be allowed to continue. No individual or group has the right to use the Church’s identity, structures or revered symbols to lend religious authority to a political campaign without the express authorisation of the appropriate Church leadership.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROHIBITION ON POLITICAL MATTERS FROM THE PULPIT

The position of the Church is reinforced by Section 98(b) of the Constitution of the Celestial Church of Christ, which states:

“Reference to newspaper publications, to items of political nature or items that have connection with Government Policy or items that may be construed as antagonising or derogatory to other religious organisations is forbidden,” during the delivery of sermons on the pulpits of the Church.

This provision underscores the Church’s obligation to preserve the spiritual purpose of its pulpits and comply with its constitutional restrictions. The Church’s platforms and institutional identity must not be converted into instruments for partisan advocacy, political mobilisation or the pursuit of personal political ambitions.

While members of the Celestial Church of Christ retain their individual rights as citizens to participate in the political process, their personal political choices must not be misrepresented as the official position of the Church. No member or group should use the Church’s name, image, structures or revered Founder’s portrait to imply institutional endorsement of any candidate or political party.

C.C.C WORLDWIDE DISOWNS ALL CELESTIAL MEGA RALLIES

Against this background, the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide categorically dissociates itself from the advertised Celestial Mega Rally scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2026, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Church declares that it has neither authorised nor endorsed the event. It equally disowns any unauthorised political rally in Lagos or elsewhere that uses its name, image or revered symbols to promote partisan political interests.

The same standard applies to every political party and candidate, without exception. The Church will not permit its identity or the image of its Founder to be appropriated to promote one political party against another.

The Church therefore directs all persons involved in organising, promoting or publicising such events to desist immediately from any representation suggesting that their activities are authorised, sponsored, endorsed or supported by the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide. Any unauthorised use of the Church’s name, image or the portrait of its Founder in political promotional materials should cease.

Persons found to have violated the Church’s constitutional provisions, regulations or lawful directives may face appropriate disciplinary measures under established Church procedures. The Church also reserves the right to pursue any lawful remedies available to protect its name, image, heritage and institutional integrity.

The Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide calls on its members and the general public to reject any suggestion that these rallies represent the official position of the Church. Members are urged to uphold the Church’s spiritual values and treat the memory and legacy of its Founder with the reverence they deserve.

The Church’s mission transcends partisan politics. Its name is not a campaign platform, its Founder’s image is not a political endorsement, and its spiritual heritage must not be exploited for private ambition.

The unauthorised use of the name and image of the Celestial Church of Christ—and, particularly, the revered portrait of Saint Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa—to advance partisan political interests is unacceptable. The Church will take appropriate steps to protect its Constitution, spiritual calling, Founder’s legacy and institutional integrity.

AVSE Kayode Ajala JP, MPIC
Secretary, Pastor in Council / Head, Media and Publicity, C.C.C. W/w

For and on behalf of the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide.

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