A fresh crisis is brewing in the Lutheran Church of Nigeria (LCN) ahead of the 2026 Presidential election, as concerned members cry out against the incumbent President/Archbishop, His Grace Most Rev. Christian Ekong, for allegedly implanting his kinsmen, including Rt. Rev. Monday Jacob and Elder Effiong Essien, the immediate past head of service of Akwa Ibom State, all indigenes of Afaha Ibesikpo (forming what they call “Afaha boys”).
Their obligation, according to findings, is to coerce the Bishops and other members of the Board of Directors into accepting the alleged falsified age and years of service of Archbishop Christian Ekong to sail seamlessly their plot to enthrone a “lifetime presidency” ambition of Archbishop Christian Ekong, who is currently in his 18th year as the LCN President/Archbishop.
Alleged Manipulation
Imposing Rt. Rev. Monday Jacob as the Chairman of Nomination Committee:
The Constitution of the LCN provides that only the Vice Chairman of the Ministerial Conference, who must not be a Bishop, shall serve as the nomination committee chairman. It is said that Monday Jacob was elected Vice Chairman of Conference in 2021, before he was appointed a Bishop in 2026. On his appointment as a bishop, he becomes automatically disqualified from continuing in the position of Vice Chairman of Conference. However, Archbishop Ekong insisted, with alleged threat of victimization for any pastor who challenges the legitimacy of Monday Jacob as the Vice Chairman of Conference. This imposition, allegedly done in connivance with Elder Effiong Essien, is described by members as outright violation of the Constitution of the church for selfish and nepotistic interests.
Appointment of Monday Jacob as a Bishop without possessing the Constitutional qualification:
Along with other requirements, the LCN constitution provides that to qualify for the office of a Bishop, the candidate must possess a minimum of a First Degree. According to the National Council of November 2025, Christian Ekong presented Monday Jacob as possessing a degree. Sadly, in a document from the LCN Secretariat presented to the Nomination Committee in July 2026, it is clearly stated that Rt. Rev. Monday Jacob does not possess any evidence of a degree. Then it becomes clear that Archbishop Ekong is running the church of God as a personal affair with no respect for the Church’s constitution or her confessions.
Christian Ekong has been widely accused of having penchant for disrespecting the Constitution. In 2021, he appointed late Rev. Anietie Ntong as the National Secretary against the Constitution that says the Secretary must have a first degree. Ntong had no degree; the Board of Directors could not question it because it is a composite of “Yes men”.
Endorsement of Christian Ekong a possible consensus candidate
To further achieve the manipulative plan, it was gathered that Elder Effiong Essien, Rt. Rev. Monday Jacob, alongside some members of the Board of Directors, are pushing to sideline the Vice President, Rt. Rev. Raphael Aju from contesting for the office of the President/Archbishop and to endorse Christian Ekong as the sole Candidate. Notable among the Board members are: Elder Obot Ufford, Pastor Mfon Obong Udo, Deac. Eme Atakpo, Rt. Rev Goodluck Essien, Rt. Rev. Samuel William. They have also formed an alliance with some members of the LCN Ministerial Conference executive.
The endorsement came after they realized that Archbishop Ekong has less than one year left in service by years of service. Meanwhile, Christian Ekong, without any constitutional authorization, is said to have removed two consecrated Bishops; Rt. Rev. Bassey Inyang and Rt. Rev. Sunday Otuno from the College of Bishops; the Board of Directors and their home dioceses are docile.
Archbishop Christian Ekong accused of falsifying age and years of service for life presidency
Records show that the Archbishop had his first appointment in the church on 18th July 1987. By the church’s Constitution, a minister is to retire by Years of Service or by Age, whichever one comes first. Years of Service is Forty (40) years, and age is 65 years of age. Consequently, 18th July 2027 will make Christian Ekong 40 years in service, which implies his retirement date and therefore makes him not qualified to contest for the office of the President.
Falsification of His Age:
Available provided by Christian Ekong during 2008 election when he was the LCN National Secretary, clearly affirms July 18, 1987 as his date of first appointment. However, information has it that some persons allegedly decided to blur that part of the argument, as document presented to the nomination committee, indicates that part of information was excluded.
The “Afaha Boys” Disqualify Credible Candidates:
Also, to further silence possible candidates that might emerge during the election, the document alleged that the Archbishop, in partnership with Elder Effiong Essien and Rt. Rev. Monday Jacob ousted other vibrant and popular Bishops from the list of Bishops with the notion that they are serving in the seminary. There is no constitutional provision that a Consecrated Bishop ceases to be one when posted to the Seminary as an instructor.
The concerned members are calling on the Church to reject any attempt to impose a life presidency and to uphold the Constitution, noting that “years of service start from Evangelist” and that with 9 months left, the incumbent is not qualified to contest.
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They also express total disappointment in Elder Effiong Essien ,former Head of Service, Akwa Ibom State, for not using his experience in civil service to help the church.
Efforts to reach the LCN National Secretariat for reaction were unsuccessful as at press time.
