COZA Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo apologises over remarks on late Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola

COZA Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo apologises over remarks on late Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola

The Global Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo, has tendered an apology to the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), the family of the late Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, and his associates over controversial remarks credited to him.

Fatoyinbo, who leads the Abuja-based megachurch, had reportedly claimed during a sermon that Apostle Babalola, the first General Evangelist of the CAC and one of Nigeria’s most revered Christian revivalists died a poor man, and allegedly made comments interpreted as mocking his children.

His remarks sparked outrage within the CAC community, prompting the church leadership to issue a strong rebuttal. The CAC described his statements as insensitive, ill-informed, and disrespectful to the legacy of a man widely regarded as a spiritual icon in Nigeria’s Christian history.

Responding to the backlash, Fatoyinbo clarified that his words had been taken out of context and denied speaking ill of Babalola or his family.

He urged critics to review the unedited version of his sermon to understand the full context of his message.

In a statement, the COZA pastor said:

“Finally, I apologize if any other statement made by me has caused any form of distress, hurt or discontentment to the CAC, the family of the late Apostle Babalola, or his associates. I will never disrespect or speak of them in that manner either publicly or privately.”

Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, who died in 1959, is revered in Nigerian Pentecostal history for his role in the great revival of the 1930s, which gave birth to the Christ Apostolic Church as a major Christian denomination in the country.