Biodun Fatoyinbo Apologises To CAC Over Comments About Late Apostle Babalola

Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) has issued an apology to the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) over remarks he made about the late Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola, CAC’s first General Evangelist.

In a sermon clip that went viral, Fatoyinbo praised Babalola as “so anointed” but suggested “all the grace just went like that” because “he had no money.”

The CAC strongly condemned the comments in a statement signed by its Director of Publicity, Pastor Ade Alawode, describing them as misleading and cautioning against equating ministerial success with material wealth.

Responding on Thursday, Fatoyinbo expressed regret for any offense caused, emphasizing that he never spoke ill of Babalola’s children and affirming that COZA remains “a place of honour.”

“Let me state that at no time in the sermon did I refer to the children of the late Apostle in bad light. I would never do that. The raw copy of the message is online and can be verified,” Fatoyinbo said. “I would never in any way take lightly the grace over Apostle Babalola, his children, or his ministry, nor speak lightly of same.”

He described Babalola as “a highly revered father of faith” whose ministry influenced many churches, including COZA, and prayed that his legacy “continues to grow in leaps and bounds.”

“I apologise if any other statement made by me caused distress, hurt, or discontentment to the CAC, the family of Apostle Babalola, or his associates. I pray this puts the entire episode to rest,” he added.

During the sermon, Fatoyinbo recounted a story about a python allegedly drying up after crossing Babalola’s leg. He said, “I was studying recently about what Apostle Babalola did. I stand to be corrected. What God did through Smith Wigglesworth — if they had documented what God did in Babalola’s life, people would be coming here for pilgrimage. He was anointed. Heavy-duty grace, but no money. So all the grace just went like that.”

The CAC’s statement read in part: “Ordinarily, we do not respond to social media commentaries or controversies. However, we consider it necessary to address your recent statements, which have been widely circulated. In one of your trending messages, you acknowledged Apostle Babalola was highly anointed but ‘had no money,’ and then asked sarcastically, ‘Where are his children?’ — a question both insensitive and ill-informed. To equate anointing or ministerial success with material wealth is biblically flawed. The words of Jesus are clear: Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses (Luke 12:15).”