06/08/2026
PRESS STATEMENT:
OFFICIAL REBUTTAL TO DEFAMATORY AND MISLEADING STATEMENTS MADE BY MR. SALISU WAZIRI CONCERNING THE GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH, ITS EPISCOPAL NOMINATION, AND ITS LEADERSHIP
Jalingo, Taraba State
6 August 2026
The Global Methodist Church (GMC) Nigeria has taken note of a viral Facebook video released by Mr. Salisu Waziri, a non-member of the Global Methodist Church, containing numerous false, misleading, defamatory, racial and inflammatory statements concerning the Church, its episcopal nomination process, its leadership, and its governance.
The GMC categorically rejects these allegations. They are devoid of factual foundation, unsupported by evidence, and appear deliberately calculated to mislead the public, undermine confidence in the Church, and sow unnecessary division ahead of the forthcoming General Conference.
The Global Methodist Church is governed by the Holy Scriptures, its doctrine and a transparent, prayerful, and Holy Spirit-led system of discernment. Episcopal elections are neither political contests nor products of regional quotas, lobbying, campaigning, or personal influence. Every nominee is evaluated through established constitutional procedures, and delegates vote prayerfully under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Accordingly, GMC Nigeria rejects the false claims that:
1. Episcopal offices are allocated through regional quotas or predetermined arrangements;
2. Some candidate enjoys preferential treatment or guaranteed electoral advantage;
3. Bishops are appointed through personal favour, political influence, or "godfatherism";
4. The Assembly of Bishops has issued statements expressing dissatisfaction with Presiding Bishop John Pena;
5. There exists any internal conflict between Bishop John Pena and Emeritus Bishop John Wesley;
6. The Church's election process is deceptive or manipulated;
7. Nigerians and other Africans are excluded from the leadership of the Global Methodist Church due to racism.
The factual record demonstrates the contrary. Africans, including Nigerians, occupy significant leadership positions across the global Church and continue to make substantial contributions to its governance, administration, mission, and worldwide ministry. Leadership within the GMC is determined by God's calling, constitutional order, and faithful service not by ethnicity, nationality, or political bargaining.
We equally reject every attempt to portray the Global Methodist Church as racially discriminatory. Such assertions are reckless, inflammatory, and completely inconsistent with the reality of our worldwide communion, where leadership and ministry transcend race, nationality, and geographical boundaries.
Furthermore, statements alleging that the Church intends to malign the Nigerian judiciary, fabricate allegations against the United Methodist Church, or misrepresent official Church communications are entirely false, defamatory, and irresponsible.
Mr. Waziri's repeated public misrepresentation of the internal affairs of a Church to which he does not belong raises serious concerns regarding accuracy, responsibility, and motive. Public commentary should be guided by verified facts rather than speculation, misinformation, or propaganda.
The Global Methodist Church in Nigeria therefore calls upon Mr. Salisu Waziri to immediately withdraw his false statements, issue an unreserved public apology, and refrain from further publication of defamatory material concerning the Church, its leadership, and its constitutional processes.
The Church further places all individuals on notice that continued publication of false, malicious, or defamatory statements against the Global Methodist Church, its officers, or its members may attract appropriate institutional and legal action without further notice.
Members of the Church and the general public are advised to disregard the claims circulated in the said video, as they neither represent the doctrine, governance, nor official position of the Global Methodist Church.
The Global Methodist Church in Nigeria remains steadfast in its commitment to the authority of Holy Scripture, biblical holiness, faithful discipleship, and the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No campaign of misinformation or public provocation will distract the Church from its divine mission.
Signed
Media Team
Global Methodist Church Nigeria
ANNEXURE
FACT SHEET: POINT-BY-POINT RESPONSE TO FALSE AND DEFAMATORY CLAIMS MADE BY MR. SALISU WAZIRI CONCERNING THE GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH
Issued by the Media Team
Global Methodist Church Nigeria
INTRODUCTION
This Annexure accompanies the official Press Statement issued by the Global Methodist Church Nigeria concerning the false, defamatory, and misleading statements made by Mr. Salisu Waziri in a viral Facebook video. It provides a detailed, point-by-point response to the major allegations raised in the video.
The Global Methodist Church remains committed to truth, biblical integrity, constitutional order, and transparency. The public is encouraged to rely on verified facts rather than speculation, misinformation, and propaganda.
SECTION I
FALSE CLAIMS CONCERNING THE EPISCOPAL NOMINATION AND ELECTION PROCESS
CLAIM 1
"THERE IS AN ARRANGEMENT TO ALLOCATE BISHOPS (5 to US, 1 to Philippines, 1 to Europe, 1 to Africa)."
This allegation is a complete fabrication, a reckless falsehood, and a deliberate attempt to deceive the public and undermine the integrity of the Global Methodist Church. Mr. Waziri has produced no evidence because none exists. The Global Methodist Church is not a political party and does not operate a system of zoning, regional quotas, or pre-arranged allocation of episcopal offices.
The election of bishops is a sacred, prayerful, and Holy Spirit-led process governed by Doctrines and established procedures of the Church. Only candidates duly vetted and presented by the Global Episcopal Committee are placed before the General Conference for discernment. Any form of campaigning, lobbying, vote-buying, personal solicitation, or political arrangement is expressly prohibited and may result in immediate disqualification.
Mr. Waziri's allegation is therefore not merely false; it is a calculated act of misinformation designed to discredit a process he clearly neither understands nor respects.
CLAIM 2
"BETWEEN THE TWO AFRICAN BISHOP CANDIDATES, DR. JERRY KULAH HAS UPPER HAND OVER BISHOP PENA."
This is a malicious and utterly baseless lie. No candidate is favored over another. All vetted episcopal nominees stand on absolutely equal ground before God and the Church, subjected only to prayerful evaluation and divine discernment by delegates who seek the leading of the Holy Spirit not the gossip of outsiders.
Salisu Waziri is a complete outsider with zero standing, zero insight, and zero moral authority to comment on the sacred, Spirit-led process of bishop nomination and election in the Global Methodist Church. He was never a member, never a participant, never a witness, and yet he presumes to speak as if he holds insider knowledge. This is not ignorance; it is calculated deception.
His reckless, slanderous, and spiritually bankrupt assertions are not only false; they are dangerous, designed to sow division, mislead the uninformed, and tarnish the sacred image of a Church he does not even belong to. He must desist immediately or face the full consequences of his defamation.
Claim 3
"PENA HAD THE FAVOR OF EMERITUS BISHOP JOHN WESLEY, WHO SINGLE-HANDEDLY LIFTED HIS HAND AND MADE HIM BISHOP AT THE GENERAL CONFERENCE IN COSTA RICA IN 2024."
This claim is a brazen lie and a calculated insult to the Global Methodist Church's episcopal election process. Bishops are not anointed by personal favour or "godfatherism"; they are elected by delegates acting prayerfully under the leading of the Holy Spirit, in accordance with our Constitution and Connectional Order.
To suggest otherwise is to slander the entire process, demean the delegates, and smear Bishop Pena's legitimacy.
This falsehood must be withdrawn immediately. We demand a full public retraction, an unambiguous apology to Bishop Pena, Emiratus Bishop Wesley, GMC General conference delegates, and the entire GMC community, and a clear pledge to cease repeating this defamation.
If the claim is not promptly corrected, GMC Nigeria will pursue all appropriate institutional and legal remedies to protect the integrity of our leadership and hold accountable those who knowingly spread such malicious lies.
Claim 4
"IF JERRY KULAH HAD GONE TO COSTA RICA, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN THE BISHOP TO HOLD AFRICA AHEAD OF JOHN PENA."
This is untrue.
No bishop is assigned to a particular region. The GMC has Presiding Bishops, not resident bishops assigned to continents. Bishops are assigned to conferences around the world, not to continents.
Furthermore, there is an established constitutional process for bishop elections. Bishops are not handpicked in the Global Methodist Church.
Claim 5
"THE GMC EPISCOPAL ELECTION PROCESS IS TRICKISH."
The description of the GMC episcopal election process as "trickish" is a malicious falsehood and a direct attack on the integrity of our church governance.
Our elections are transparent, prayerful, constitutionally grounded, and rooted in Wesleyan order not schemes or manipulation.
To brand them "trickish" is to slander the delegates, clergy, and lay leaders who have faithfully followed established procedures under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Claim 6
"IF AMERICA WANTS JERRY KULAH TO WIN, IT IS VERY EASY FOR THEM TO CONVINCE DELEGATES."
This is a blatant lie and a smear on the character of our Church and its delegates. The GMC does not operate by political manipulation or backroom deals. Delegates to the General Conference are independent, prayerful voting members who vote under the guidance of the Holy Spirit not pawns to be bought or browbeaten by regional interests.
Anyone who spreads this cynical narrative is attacking the integrity of our electoral process and insulting every delegate who serves faithfully.
Claim 7
"JERRY KULAH HAS A 70% CHANCE OF WINNING THE BISHOP ELECTION."
The claim that "Jerry Kulah has a 70% chance of winning the bishop election" is a reckless and improper projection that violates the spirit and order of the Global Methodist Church.
The GMC expressly rejects campaigning, candidate ranking, and political forecasting.
All candidates enter the process on equal footing, and any attempt to assign percentages or create momentum narratives is a distortion of our doctrine and a disservice to the integrity of the election.
Such statements are not only false but dangerously suggestive, as they risk compromising the credibility of the process and unfairly implicating a candidate in conduct that could attract disciplinary consequences.
Mr. Waziri must cease this indirect campaigning immediately, withdraw the claim, and issue a public correction. Continued propagation of this narrative will compel GMC Nigeria to take appropriate institutional steps to safeguard the election process and uphold the Church's standards.
SECTION II
FALSE CLAIMS CONCERNING PRESIDING BISHOP JOHN PENA
CLAIM 8
"BISHOP JOHN PENA WAS THE ONLY AFRICAN VOTED AS INTERIM BISHOP IN COSTA RICA IN 2024."
This is factually incorrect. In addition to Bishop John Pena, Bishop Kimba Evariste of the Democratic Republic of Congo was also voted and consecrated as an Interim Bishop in 2024.
The exclusion of this fact is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and distort the historical record of the Global Methodist Church.
CLAIM 9
DISRESPECTFUL REFERENCES TO PRESIDING BISHOP JOHN PENA AS "JOHN PENA" OR SIMPLY "PENA."
Mr. Waziri's repeated references to the Presiding Bishop merely as "John Pena" or "Pena" are disrespectful and diminish the dignity of the sacred office of a duly elected and consecrated Presiding Bishop of the Global Methodist Church.
While public discourse allows room for disagreement, it must never descend into language calculated to ridicule or undermine ecclesiastical authority.
The Global Methodist Church in Nigeria will not fold its hands while the sacred office of the episcopacy is trivialized for personal or self-sponsored agendas.
CLAIM 10
"JOHN PENA'S ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS ARE NOT UP TO THOSE OF JERRY KULAH."
This assertion is false and entirely unnecessary.
Both Bishop John Pena and Rev. Dr. Jerry Kulah have faithfully served the Church for decades and possess substantial academic, theological, pastoral, and leadership experience.
The Global Methodist Church does not evaluate episcopal candidates through personal attacks or superficial comparisons. The Church prayerfully entrusts every duly nominated candidate to God, believing that leadership ultimately comes through His sovereign guidance rather than human speculation.
CLAIM 11
"THE ASSEMBLY OF BISHOPS HAS ISSUED SEVERAL STATEMENTS EXPRESSING DISSATISFACTION WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF BISHOP JOHN PENA."
This allegation is entirely fabricated.
At no time has the Assembly of Bishops of the Global Methodist Church issued any statement expressing dissatisfaction with the leadership of Presiding Bishop John Pena.
On the contrary, Bishop Pena continues to provide faithful leadership within the Church, and the conferences under his episcopal oversight continue to experience growth in church planting, evangelism, discipleship, and ministry development.
Mr. Waziri is therefore called upon to immediately withdraw this defamatory statement and refrain from fabricating official communications that have never existed.
CLAIM 12
ALLEGED FACTIONAL CONFLICT BETWEEN EMERITUS BISHOP JOHN WESLEY AND PRESIDING BISHOP JOHN PENA.
This allegation is false.
There is no internal crisis, rivalry, or division between Emeritus Bishop John Wesley and Presiding Bishop John Pena.
Both leaders continue to relate cordially in mutual respect and unity as servants of Jesus Christ committed to the mission of the Global Methodist Church.
Any attempt to manufacture internal conflict where none exists is irresponsible and intended solely to create unnecessary suspicion among members of the Church.
POSITION OF THE GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA
The repeated personal attacks directed against Presiding Bishop John Pena are not supported by facts. They are speculations, distortions, and defamatory assertions intended to undermine confidence in his office and in the integrity of the Global Methodist Church.
The Global Methodist Church in Nigeria therefore categorically rejects every false narrative concerning the legitimacy of Bishop Pena's election, his qualifications, his leadership, and his relationship with other bishops of the Church.
We call upon all members of the public to disregard these unfounded allegations and to rely only on official communications issued through the appropriate organs of the Global Methodist Church.
SECTION III
FALSE CLAIMS CONCERNING AFRICAN REPRESENTATION, EPISCOPAL NOMINATIONS, AND LEADERSHIP IN THE GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH
CLAIM 13
"ONLY ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE PERSONS WERE NOMINATED FROM AFRICA."
This assertion is false and demonstrates either a complete ignorance of the Global Methodist Church's episcopal nomination process or a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
The official records clearly show that the number of African-descended nominees exceeded the figure falsely claimed by Mr. Waziri. The list includes Bishop John Pena, Bishop Kimba Evariste(Congo DRC), Rev. Dr. Jerry Kulah (Liberia), Rev. Danjuma Juji (Northeast Nigeria), Rev. Bazel Y. Yoila (Southern Nigeria), Mbingeleli Diko (South Africa), Forbes Matonga (Zimbabwe), and Rev. Lucien Dan Dockpa Ngama (Central African Republic), among others.
It is equally important to note that some nominees voluntarily declined their nominations, while others stepped down during the process in accordance with their personal discernment and the Church's established procedures. Their withdrawal does not erase the fact that they were duly nominated.
Mr. Waziri's statement is therefore not a factual error but a reckless distortion of verifiable information. The Global Methodist Church categorically rejects this false narrative.
CLAIM 14
"AMERICA A COUNTRY WITH JUST 300 MILLION PEOPLE CLAMORING FOR FIVE BISHOPS AGAINST AFRICA'S 1.4 BILLION WITH JUST ONE BISHOP."
This claim is deliberately deceptive because it compares the general population of continents rather than the actual membership and organizational presence of the Global Methodist Church.
The Global Methodist Church does not allocate bishops based on the total population of a country or continent. Episcopal leadership is determined by the Church's established constitutional processes, the distribution of its Annual Conferences, and the needs of its membership not by national census figures.
The United States presently has the largest concentration of Global Methodist Church members and conferences, while many African nations do not yet have an established GMC presence.
Furthermore, the assertion that there are predetermined regional allocations such as "five bishops for America and one for Africa" is entirely false. No such constitutional quota or regional allocation exists within the Global Methodist Church.
The statement is therefore a fabricated narrative intended to inflame regional sentiments and manufacture a grievance where none exists.
CLAIM 15
"NIGERIA AND OTHER AFRICANS ARE NOT CARRIED ALONG IN THE GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE."
This allegation is a blatant falsehood that collapses under the weight of verifiable facts.
Africans, including Nigerians, occupy substantive leadership positions throughout the Global Methodist Church and contribute significantly to its governance, administration, finance, evangelism, discipleship, and worldwide mission.
The record clearly demonstrates that Nigerians and other Africans serve in major global offices, including:
1. Two Nigerians currently serves as Members of the Connectional Council Committee(Mr Asaba Chin Ali & Amb. Bulus Audu Daniel. The highest decision making body of the GMC, Nigeria is the ONLY COUNTRY in the world with TWO representation)
2. The elected West Africa Coordinator for Kingdom Advancement(Rev Absalom Nuhu)
3. Presiding Bishop John Pena, who provides global leadership through his oversight of the Finance and Administration Committee.
4. Mr. Simon Mafunda, GMC Africa Coordinator.
5. Numerous clergy and lay leaders serving on various international committees and ministries of the Church.
These are not ceremonial appointments but positions of genuine responsibility and influence.
Mr. Waziri's narrative ignores these documented facts and instead promotes an entirely fabricated story of exclusion.
The Global Methodist Church therefore rejects this allegation in its entirety.
CLAIM 16
"IF CARE IS NOT TAKEN, NIGERIA MIGHT NOT HAVE A BISHOP."
This statement is a cynical attempt to create fear and manipulate public opinion.
The Global Methodist Church in Nigeria is not driven by the pursuit of offices or titles but by an unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ, biblical truth, faithful discipleship, and the advancement of God's Kingdom.
The strength and mission of the Church do not depend upon whether a particular nation presently has an indigenous bishop.
Whenever God, through the Church's lawful constitutional processes, raises a qualified Nigerian to the episcopacy, the Church will rejoice.
Until then, the Church remains fully committed to preaching the Gospel, making disciples, planting churches, and faithfully serving Christ under the leadership He provides.
Attempts to portray the Church as desperate for titles reveal a profound misunderstanding of the mission and calling of the Global Methodist Church.
POSITION OF THE GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA
The Global Methodist Church is an international, connectional body whose leadership reflects biblical calling rather than political entitlement, regional sentiment, or ethnic considerations.
The Church values the contributions of every nation represented within its worldwide fellowship. Nigerians and other Africans continue to play indispensable roles in shaping the life, mission, governance, and future of the Global Methodist Church.
Accordingly, every attempt to portray Africa as marginalized within the GMC is rejected as inaccurate, misleading, and contrary to the documented facts.
SECTION IV
FALSE CLAIMS CONCERNING GMC NIGERIA, ITS DOCTRINE, GOVERNANCE, AND PUBLIC REPUTATION
CLAIM 17
"IF NIGERIA IS NOT GIVEN AN INDIGENOUS BISHOP, THEY MIGHT LOSE MEMBERS."
This does not represent the position of the Global Methodist Church in Nigeria.
Leadership comes from God, who gives to whom He deems fit. Many GMC conferences around the world do not presently have an indigenous bishop, yet they continue faithfully in worship, discipleship, and ministry.
The mission of GMC Nigeria is to proclaim Jesus Christ, make disciples, and advance the Kingdom of God not to pursue offices or titles.
Claim 18
"GMC NIGERIA HAS MORE MEMBERS THAN LIBERIA."
This statement directly contradicts Mr. Waziri's earlier assertions regarding the numerical strength of the Church in Nigeria.
His statistics are inconsistent, unreliable, and appear to change according to the narrative he wishes to promote. Public discussion deserves facts, not contradictory speculation presented as evidence.
CLAIM 19
"GMC NIGERIA WILL LIE THAT THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH BRIBED THE JUDGE IN THE RECENT FEDERAL HIGH COURT ABUJA JUDGMENT."
This allegation is baseless, reckless, and defamatory.
The Global Methodist Church is founded upon truth, holiness, accountability, and respect for lawful institutions. It neither traffics in falsehood nor engages in the ungodly conduct alleged by Mr. Waziri.
Such a statement is a calculated attempt to damage the reputation of the Church and undermine public confidence in its integrity.
Mr. Waziri should immediately retract this allegation, publicly apologize, and desist from making further defamatory statements.
CLAIM 20
"GMC LEADERSHIP HAS ISSUED SEVERAL LETTERS TO BISHOP PENA EXPRESSING DISSATISFACTION."
This is entirely false.
No such letters have ever been issued.
It is deeply concerning that official Church correspondence is being fabricated and attributed to the leadership of the Global Methodist Church without any evidence whatsoever.
Responsible public discourse requires truthfulness, particularly from those who claim to be ministers of the Gospel.
CLAIM 21
"BATUREH BASU SONKU (WHITE MEN DON'T LIKE BLACKS)."
This is a reckless, inflammatory, and racially charged statement that has absolutely no place within the Global Methodist Church.
The Gospel proclaims that all people are equal before God. Consequently, the Global Methodist Church unequivocally rejects racism, tribalism, ethnic prejudice, and every form of racial discrimination.
Our worldwide communion reflects unity in diversity. African bishops presently provide episcopal leadership beyond Africa, demonstrating that leadership within the GMC is determined by God's calling rather than race or nationality.
The Church therefore rejects this racist narrative in its entirety and calls for its immediate withdrawal.
CLAIM 22
"THE GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH IN NIGERIA SHOULD RETURN TO THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TO ENJOY REGIONALIZATION."
This suggestion is unequivocally rejected.
The Global Methodist Church Nigeria did not separate from the United Methodist Church in pursuit of positions, privileges, or administrative arrangements. It separated because biblical conviction is not negotiable.
The Church remains unwavering in its commitment to the authority of Holy Scripture, historic Christian doctrine, and biblical holiness.
No promise of institutional advantage can compel the Church to abandon these convictions.
Mr. Waziri's repeated attempts to prescribe the future of a Church to which he does not belong are both inappropriate and unwarranted especially coming from a supposed clergy with questionable ordination process.
CLAIM 23
"BY THE TIME THEY STRIP YOU OF THE RIGHT TO HOLD ANY POLITICAL POSITION IN THE CHURCH."
This statement reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature and mission of the Church.
The Global Methodist Church is not a political institution where individuals compete for power, titles, or influence. Leadership within the Church is a sacred trust founded upon God's calling, Christian character, faithful service, and biblical accountability.
Those whose commitment to the Church depends upon occupying offices have misunderstood the Gospel itself.
Church offices are responsibilities not political entitlements. The mission of the Church is to exalt Jesus Christ, not personal ambition.
CLAIM 24
"JERRY KULAH'S NOMINATION BY THE CENTRAL NIGERIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE WAS DUE TO AN INTERNAL CRISIS."
This allegation is categorically false.
The Central Nigeria Annual Conference acted strictly in accordance with the constitutional provisions governing episcopal nominations.
Under the approved nomination framework, every Annual Conference is entitled to nominate two episcopal candidates one from within its own conference and one from outside its conference.
Rev. Dr. Jerry Kulah's nomination was therefore made through the established constitutio8 will not fold it hands and watch one with moral bankruptcy ridicule a process he doesnt understand it operations.
FINAL NOTICE
The Global Methodist Church in Nigeria hereby demands that Mr. Salisu Waziri immediately cease and desist from the continued publication and dissemination of false, misleading, defamatory, and malicious statements concerning the Global Methodist Church, its leadership, its constitutional processes, and its ministries.
Mr. Waziri possesses no ecclesiastical authority, constitutional standing, or institutional mandate to speak on behalf of the Global Methodist Church or to interpret its governance and doctrine. The Church therefore calls upon him to publicly retract his false statements, issue an unreserved apology, and refrain from further dissemination of misinformation.
The Global Methodist Church further places all persons on notice that continued publication of false, malicious, or defamatory statements against the Church, its officers, or its members may attract appropriate institutional and legal proceedings without further notice.
Members of the Global Methodist Church and the general public are advised to disregard Mr. Waziri's publications and broadcasts concerning the Global Methodist Church, as they do not represent the official doctrine, governance, policies, or communications of the Church.
The Global Methodist Church in Nigeria remains steadfast in its commitment to proclaim Jesus Christ, uphold the authority of Holy Scripture, make faithful disciples, and advance the Kingdom of God. No campaign of misinformation or public provocation will divert the Church from its divine mission.
Issued by:
Media Team
Global Methodist Church Nigeria
