The ongoing leadership tussle within the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, a prominent Nigerian Christian sect, has taken a violent turn as members challenge the succession of its late founder, Olumba Olumba Obu.
The crisis reached a boiling point at the sect’s Nsikak Edouk Avenue branch in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where worshippers protested against Rowland Obu, Olumba’s first son and leader of one of the sect’s factions. In a viral video circulated on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook, a man dressed in a white cassock is seen removing Rowland’s portrait from the wall and smashing it to the ground, drawing cheers from the crowd.
“Bring it down!” a woman’s voice is heard urging in the background, as the man destroys the portrait. Meanwhile, another voice exclaims, “This is who we are worshipping,” referring to Olumba’s untouched portrait, still hanging on the wall.
The sect, founded 68 years ago, has been deeply divided since Olumba’s passing. Rowland leads one faction, while his sister, Ibum, heads another. Both claim to be the rightful successor to their father, a dispute that has fractured the once-unified sect headquartered in Biakpan, Cross River State.
Amah Williams, the sect’s spokesperson, confirmed the incident occurred at the Uyo branch and attributed it to a breakaway group called the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star New Kingdom Ministry. He criticized the group as rebels unwilling to accept Rowland’s leadership....Read Full Article [Click Here>]
“They are rebels. They rebelled; they rejected the rulership of the Kingdom of Christ,” Williams said during a press briefing on Saturday. “The holy image of our father is what we hold sacred,” he added, referencing the destroyed portrait of Rowland.
When asked about the sect’s stance on Jesus Christ, Williams responded, “That same (Jesus) Christ is the one that came with the new name Olumba Olumba Obu. If Olumba were to be a white man, black men would have gone to worship on his feet.”
The Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, which claims over one million members worldwide, identifies as the New Kingdom of God on Earth rather than a church. The sect has neither officially announced Olumba’s passing nor conducted a public burial, further deepening the rift within its ranks.
