The President General of Nkpa Central Development Union, Bishop Ugochukwu Nwosu, has strongly countered the Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia Diocese, Archbishop Raphael Opoko, over his alleged description of Nkpa Community as “land grabbers.”
Speaking to journalists in Umuahia on Friday, Bishop Nwosu, who is also the General Overseer of Amazing Grace Ministries International, said Nkpa has always been a peaceful community and would not tolerate any attempt by the Methodist Church to “recolonize” them in the 21st century.
“We have accommodated the Methodist Church, donated land where they built their churches, but on the issue of the colony, I want it on record that Nkpa, precisely Umualokocha, did not donate any land to the Methodist Church. The people of Umulokocha gave their land to the Government,” he explained.
He clarified that the land in question was leased to the Abia State Government for colony settlement on a 99-year lease, with only six years remaining. According to him, the Methodist Church has no claim to that property.
Bishop Nwosu expressed surprise over reports that the Church intends to build a University on the land.
“To my greatest surprise, the Methodist Church said they want to build a University on land not given to them. The Methodist Church are strangers, not known to us. We gave our land to the Government, not to the Church,” he said.
He further disclosed that the Church had written to the community claiming that the State Government had donated the land to them — a claim the community dismissed as false, insisting such a transaction was impossible without their knowledge or consent.
The President General emphasized that the land designated for the State’s estate project and the colony land are different portions, all belonging to the community. He noted that both the Ministry of Lands and the Ministry of Justice had surveyed and confirmed this fact, with official reports issued in April 2025.
“Methodist is not a parastatal of the State Government; it is just a mission. When we asked them for their papers, they told us they are agents of colonialism. Which community wants to be colonized by a Church in 2025?”Bishop Nwosu queried.
He reaffirmed Nkpa’s support for Governor Alex Otti’s administration in 2023 and pledged the community’s continued backing in 2027.
Also speaking, Chief Deacon Charles Madabuike, Chairman of Works/Project Committee of Nkpa Central Development Union, described the Methodist claim as unfortunate.
“There is no way the Methodist Church can openly claim ownership of that land. The colony land is on lease and will expire in the next six years. If they have any interest, they should approach Umualokocha Community for a new agreement,” Madabuike said.
He stressed that all relevant documents are available for verification, adding that Nkpa remains a peace-loving community committed to transparency.
