The Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, leadership has refuted news reports in some print media linked to its President, Rev. Dr. Stephen Baba Panya, as saying that the church will soon announce its choice of presidential ahead of the February 25, presidential election.
A statement by the ECWA spokesman, Rev. Romanus Ebenwokodi, made available to newsmen in Jos described the publications as “absolute falsehood that have never been contemplated, and are meant to cause unnecessary tension that is capable of dragging the good name of ECWA to the mud.”
The statement read in part: “In course of its Extraordinary General Church Council which started on 17th January 2023; the attention of the ECWA General Church Council has been drawn to mischievous and malicious publications by certain sections of the media e.g. This-Day Newspaper “ECWA President: Church Will Announce Presidential Choice Soon” and Vanguard Newspaper “Church to take decision soon – ECWA President”, 18th day of January 2023 on their banner headlines.
“The General Church Council wishes to state that at no time did it make the alluded resolution, neither did the President at any time during the proceedings of the Council make the statement credited to him by the newspapers in question.”
It maintained that as a denomination it was well aware of the fact that its membership cuts across all political parties. It however demanded for a public apology from the two publications and withdrawal of the news stories.
It however demanded “ECWA therefore, strongly demands This-Day and Vanguard newspapers to herewith publicly withdraw the said publications and tender public apologies to ECWA within twenty-four (24) hours beginning 12::00 noon, 18th January 2023.