Amah Williams, spokesman of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS) aka Olumba Olumba, on Sunday said there is no crisis in the organisation.
Williams stated this in an interview with journalists in Lagos after a video emerged of worshippers destroying the portrait of Olumba’s first son Rowland who leads a faction of the sect. Olumba’s daughter Ibum leads another faction.
Rowland and Ibum, with hundreds of their followers, are claiming the leadership of the 68-year-old sect after their father’s death, causing a split in the organisation headquartered in the Biakpan community in Cross River State.
Williams was quoted by news platforms on Saturday as saying the incident happened in Uyo at the sect’s Nsikak Edouk Avenue branch.
Williams said those responsible for the incident belong to a breakaway faction called Brotherhood of the Cross and Star New Kingdom Ministry.
He described them as rebels who do not want to accept Rowland’s leadership – he did not call Rowland by name as Olumba’s successor is revered among worshippers as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu”.
However, on Sunday, media reports quoted him as calling on the general public to disregard the videos on social media alleging crisis in the fold.
He said that the videos were not real and did not emanate from the headquarters of BCS in Calabar as claimed.
Williams described the videos as forged by mischief makers to disparage the organisation.
“Our headquarters in Calabar is getting ready to host the annual divine manifestation event of Olumba.
“The videos trending in the social media space, especially on Facebook did not originate from the world headquarters of the organisation.
“The world headquarters of BCS is safe, calm, and peaceful.
“Members of BCS shall be hosting their 2024 Universal Celebration of the Divine Manifestation of Olumba, with the theme ‘The Unshakable King’ from November 18 to November 24 in Calabar,” he said.