Members of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Wuse II, located in the heart of Abuja, are in an uproar as allegations of sexual misconduct against their senior pastor, Rev. Nashon Azaki, continue to stir deep controversy. The situation has escalated to a point where concerned congregants are calling for the pastor’s immediate removal, citing severe breaches of moral and legal boundaries that they claim threaten the reputation of the church and its wider religious community.
At the center of the allegations are claims of attempted rape at the pastor’s official residence, coupled with accusations of solicitation of sex from a female employee. These allegations have prompted the church’s members to issue a formal petition to the ECWA headquarters in Jos, urging swift action to address the claims and prevent further damage to the church’s image. In their letter, the concerned members have made it clear that they will take legal action if the church leadership fails to act decisively.
“The purpose of this letter is to alert the ECWA Executive about the delicate situation in the church and again appeal for their urgent intervention,” the petition begins, expressing grave concern for both the moral standing of the church and the safety of its members. “We regret to inform you that failing your immediate action, the concerned members and other well-meaning members of the church would have no alternative but to pursue civil and legal avenues to ensure that their grievances are addressed. We are deeply concerned about the image and reputation of ECWA Wuse II, the ECWA Church, and the Christian faith at large.”
The petition further reveals that tensions have reached a boiling point, with members fearing the potential for chaos if the matter remains unresolved. “We were informed that on Sunday, February 2, 2025, over 20 armed policemen were deployed to the church premises by an unknown person to protect the senior pastor,” the letter claims. This move is seen by many as an indication of the severity of the situation, with the church leadership appearing to take extraordinary measures to shield the pastor from the growing public backlash.
Despite the allegations, Rev. Azaki has staunchly denied any wrongdoing. He has described the claims as baseless and asserted that the church leadership has already addressed the concerns raised by some members. However, his denials have done little to quell the unrest among those who are demanding his removal.
One church member, who wished to remain anonymous, shared his frustration with the ongoing situation. “We cannot stand by and watch while the name of our church is dragged through the mud. We’ve raised these concerns not out of personal malice but because we care deeply about the integrity of ECWA Wuse II and the larger Christian community,” he said.
The gravity of the situation has drawn the attention of both churchgoers and outsiders, with many questioning how the church leadership has handled the allegations so far. According to some members, the failure to suspend the pastor in the face of such serious accusations is seen as a failure to protect the community from potential harm. “It’s not just about the church’s reputation. It’s about the safety and wellbeing of the congregation, particularly the women who might feel unsafe under his leadership,” one member pointed out.
In response to these concerns, the church’s leadership has reportedly indicated that it is in the process of investigating the allegations. However, there has been no public statement yet about any steps being taken to suspend Rev. Azaki or address the growing calls for his removal.
“It’s been weeks since these accusations were made, and yet nothing has been done,” another congregant remarked. “The pastor is still carrying out his duties as though nothing is wrong. This inaction only adds to our frustration and disappointment. If the leadership truly cares about the church, they need to act now.”
While the matter continues to unfold, members of the ECWA Wuse II congregation are keeping a close watch on how their leadership will respond. Some have already vowed to take matters into their own hands if the church refuses to act. “If the ECWA headquarters does not intervene soon, we will be forced to explore other legal options to hold the pastor accountable,” one of the petition’s signatories stated.
The situation at ECWA Wuse II serves as a stark reminder of the challenges churches face in navigating allegations of sexual misconduct, particularly when such accusations involve influential leaders within the congregation. As more members voice their concerns, the pressure on the church leadership to act swiftly and decisively grows ever stronger.
This case also highlights broader issues within Nigerian religious institutions, where leaders are often afforded a great deal of authority and influence. Critics argue that such authority can sometimes lead to situations where leaders feel they are above the law, making it all the more critical for church governance to be transparent and accountable to its members.
Rev. Azaki, a respected figure within the ECWA church community, now faces the challenge of clearing his name while simultaneously dealing with a divided congregation. His response to the allegations, and the church’s eventual handling of the situation, will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for the future of ECWA Wuse II and its place in the Abuja religious landscape.
