BREAKING: Archbishop Oliver Abah elected new Prelate of Methodist Church

…Nkechi Nwosu emerges denomination’s first female Bishop

The Archbishop, Methodist Church, Nigeria, Benue Diocese, Most Revd. Oliver Abah, has been elected as the new Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria.

Abah emerged the new prelate in the election held at the Bienial conference of Methodist Church Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday.

WesternPost gathered that the Benue Archbishop won the contest after four rounds of voting.

In the first round Abah polled 58 votes, while the Archbishop of Ilesa, Most Revd. Akinlose Akindeko, polled 50 votes and the Archbishop of Lagos Nigeria, Most Revd. Isaac Olawuyi, had 16 votes to emerge top three and move to the second round of voting.

During the second round, Abah had 87 votes, Akindeko 82 votes were Olawuyi got nine votes, leaving the top two to proceed to the third round of voting.

Abah and Akindeko however tied at 89 votes apiece in the third round, before the fourth round separating them, with Abah polling 90 votes to emerge the new prelate, while Akindeko had 87 votes.

Abah will take over from the present Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Samuel Uche whose tenure ends at the end of the year.

The new prelate is expected to spend two terms of five years each in office as Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria.

Part of the decisions taken at the conference was creation of two Archdioceses and 24 Dioceses across the country.

They are:

Archdioceses

  1. Ifaki Archdiocese
  2. Archdiocese of Igede

Dioceses

  1. Ado (Ekiti)
  2. Omuo (Ekiti)
  3. Owo Diocese – created. (Old Owo Diocese will be called Ondo Central. AKURE)
  4. Yewa (RIYE)
  5. Enugu North East
  6. Nsukka/Eha Amufu
  7. Awkunanaw
  8. Akegbeugwu
  9. Nnewi
  10. Awka
  11. Ikom
  12. Nyokhana
  13. Oruk Anam
  14. Kono
  15. Opokwu
  16. Lafia
  17. Sokoto
  18. North East
  19. Ebugwu Mbo
  20. Atamunu
  21. Ibakesi
  22. Ini Abasi
  23. UK
  24. U S A

The Church also elected Very Rev. Nkechi Nwosu as the new Bishop of Jos Diocese.

She becomes the first female Bishop of the Methodist Church Nigeria. She was also the first female Presbyter before her election as a Bishop.

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