In Gombe members of the United Methodist Church (UMC) recently held a protest against a faction that supports LGBTQ rights and regionalization. The protest took place during the Northern and Central Nigeria Annual Conferences in Gondum village, Shongom local government area.

The protesters, holding signs rejecting LGBTQ rights and regionalization, expressed their desire for a unified church and opposed what they consider “unholy acts.”

Yohana Wesley, Resident Bishop of the Nigeria UMC, explained that the faction’s failure to follow established procedures led to their disowning. Chipau Kiliyobas, Director of Connectional Ministry of Northern Nigeria UMC Annual Conference, highlighted that disagreements over regionalization and LGBTQ issues were at the heart of the conflict.

Bishop John Schol, representing the U.S. Council of Bishops, tried to mediate and bring unity, stating that regional decisions on same-sex marriage would be respected without global imposition. Despite this, the protesters remained firm in their opposition to recognizing LGBTQ rights within the church. They stressed their belief that LGBTQ acts are unholy and should not be accepted in the church community.