The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) is grappling with a deepening crisis as tensions mount over the leadership’s handling of allegations against Rev. Nashon Azaki, the embattled pastor of ECWA Wuse II in Abuja.
At the heart of the conflict is a growing demand from church members for the immediate implementation of an investigative committee’s recommendations, which include Rev. Azaki’s transfer.
Rev Nashon Azaki, the embattled Senior Pastor, has been under investigation for alleged sexual harassment since January 2025. The situation escalated after members of the congregation submitted a formal petition to the ECWA Headquarters, demanding his dismissal
Accompanying the petition was a letter dated February 3, 2025, from Dr. George Ogunyomi, a legal practitioner representing the aggrieved members. In his letter, Ogunyomi accused Rev. Azaki of breaching ECWA’s code of conduct and criticized church authorities for their reluctance to act decisively, despite what he described as overwhelming evidence.
Adding to the tension, five of the eleven members of the church’s board of elders have resigned in protest, signaling a significant leadership fracture within the local congregation. The members allege that the ECWA hierarchy is protecting Rev. Azaki due to internal loyalties and political influence rather than addressing the allegations with transparency and fairness.
“The Executive must act now,” a group of concerned members declared. “ECWA’s credibility, both locally and internationally, is at stake. We need to reaffirm our commitment to truth, justice, and the values the church was founded on.”
Fueling the outrage is the fact that Rev. Azaki continues to lead one of ECWA’s largest congregations, despite reportedly being under investigation by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). He is also said to be on administrative bail. Many members argue that it is inconceivable for someone facing such grave allegations to remain in a leadership position, and they see the leadership’s silence as a sign of complicity.
The troubled process began when a petition prompted the Garki District Church Council (DCC), under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Sampson Jonah, to task the church’s board of elders with investigating the claims. However, this board was allegedly unqualified and proceeded to clear Rev. Azaki of 13 out of 14 allegations without consulting the petitioners. The remaining allegation—concerning sexual harassment—was handed over to the DCC.
Controversy quickly engulfed this second phase of the inquiry. The DCC-appointed committee was largely composed of individuals seen as close to Rev. Azaki, prompting objections from the petitioning members. As tensions rose, Rev. Jonah referred the matter back to the same disputed elders’ board. This move led to further deadlock and eventually resulted in the resignation of several elders.
In response, a coalition of about 30 current and former elders proposed the formation of an independent investigative panel. That request was rejected by Rev. Jonah, who instead accepted a report from a minority faction of five elders that exonerated Rev. Azaki.
Later, the ECWA Executive intervened and suspended Rev. Azaki, mandating the creation of an impartial panel led by Prof. Samson Shaibu. This committee concluded that Rev. Azaki should be temporarily removed and reassigned, citing heightened tensions and polarization within the Wuse congregation. It also recommended the dissolution of the fractured board of elders.
However, despite the ECWA Executive’s directive, Rev. Jonah allegedly reinstated Rev. Azaki without official clearance from the Headquarters, thereby defying the standing resolution.
Critics contend that the local inquiry lacked the authority to absolve Rev. Azaki of serious allegations, including potential criminal offenses. They argue that the failure to address the unresolved accusations reinforces the perception that church leaders are attempting to suppress the issue rather than uphold justice and accountability.
Rev. Azaki has consistently denied all allegations, dismissing them as baseless and politically driven. He insists that the campaign for his removal is fueled by personal vendettas and not genuine concern for the church’s welfare.
As the crisis enters its sixth week, Rev. Azaki remains in his pastoral role, a situation that has further inflamed tensions among congregants. Members insist that continued inaction only worsens the situation and risks irreparable damage to ECWA’s spiritual and institutional integrity.
Responding to the developments, ECWA General Secretary, Rev. Ayuba Asheshe, stated that the church has standard procedures for addressing internal matters. He confirmed that the investigative committee’s report had been handed over to the Garki DCC for enforcement.
Yet, insiders allege that powerful voices within ECWA, including a former president of the denomination, have intervened to block Rev. Azaki’s transfer, in direct opposition to the panel’s findings. The investigative committee had clearly warned that his continued presence at Wuse II posed a serious threat to the church’s unity.
The ECWA Executive had pledged to implement the committee’s recommendations, including Rev. Azaki’s redeployment and the restructuring of the elders’ board. However, months later, no concrete action has followed, raising concerns over the leadership’s integrity and commitment to reform.
Some members suggest that those resisting the pastor’s transfer are doing so out of self-interest. Reports have surfaced that certain individuals within the leadership have benefitted from financial support, including sponsorship for medical trips, allegedly provided by Rev. Azaki.
In addition to calls for the pastor’s transfer, members are demanding a full financial audit of the church, as originally proposed by the investigative panel. They believe the audit would uncover a web of conflicts of interest and questionable dealings involving key figures in the leadership.
“The longer the leadership delays,” one member warned, “the more the church’s moral authority erodes. Without bold action, this crisis will not just persist—it will deepen.”