By Olasunkanmi Akoni

The crisis rocking the Celestial Church of Christ, CCC worldwide, took a new turn, weekend, as family of the founder, late Rev. Samuel Oshoffa, faulted the declaration of Rev. Olatosho Oshoffa as the new leader of the church. According to the late founder’s family, the declaration is an act of rebellion.

Senior Evangelist Ebenezer Oshoffa, who spoke on behalf of the family at a press conference in Lagos, said the seat remained vacant until Rev. Emmanuel Oshoffa was installed as the leader of the church.

He said: “The family has always avoided public interference in the affairs of the church, the Celestial Church of Christ founded by our dear father but it has become imperative and as a matter of urgency for us to speak out as a family because of the recent twist in the leadership tussle of the church which unfortunately is personal to us because our son and brother; Olatosho is involved.’’

He explained that though the genesis of the problem started after the recent court judgment in March, 2015, the crisis had been grossly mismanaged.

He explained further: “ Some unscrupulous, self-centered elders of the church who found an avenue for vendetta, installed Olotosho Oshoffa with a lot of unwarranted and untrue fallacies.

‘’It should be known that we did the best we could as a family to stop recent happenings, we held meetings and our purpose was for peace and stability of the church.

“ The final meeting was held at the Oba of Imeko’s palace and the decision was an indivisible church and Oshoffa family. Olatosho was among other things asked to retrace his steps, saying rebellion is an act against not only man but God.”

He said the family did not give its support to his leadership bid, adding that their loyalty remained with Rev. Emmanuel Mibiyina Oshoffa.