“We are even underpopulated here in Nigeria. In summary, once there are more hands, more work can be done and faster,” Lotanna Ogbuchukwu, an Anglican priest who resigned from the church, the Anglican Diocese of Nnewi, Anambra State, told our reporter in the interview.

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PT: Aside from your position on polygamy, is there any other reason why you resigned as a priest?

LOTANNA: There is no other reason. It is for me not to stay on a platform where it is not allowed (polygamy).

PT: You said that you received a revelation about the movement. When and how?

LOTANNA: My revelation came about 20 years ago when we were in Anglican Children’s Ministry, but I didn’t fully understand it then. A few years ago, it began to seem clear to me that I was beginning to understand. That was three or four years ago. So, I was saying no and running away from it before. I had asked myself, ‘is this what it’s all about?’ One of the biggest things that set me back for so long was thinking about what people would say. But we will be discussing every part of the scripture on this very soon on a weekly basis to open people’s eyes to understanding the scripture. The writing became so obvious, it was clearly explained to me afterward, but what I struggled with the most was what people will say and, again, how people will take it.

PT: But does your position on polygamy contradict what the Bible says, which is that a man should be to a woman?

LOTANNA: Wait until we start the teaching on polygamy. By the grace of God, my first teaching will be out next Sunday on our YouTube channel. We will have teachings on polygamy every Sunday.

PT: Are there priests in the church who left with you or plan to join you?

LOTANNA: I didn’t discuss it with anyone. Meanwhile, even as I was uploading a YouTube video announcing my resignation, I carefully avoided all church platforms. I am not going after those who are already in the Anglican Church. It is more of those who have left the church because they were true to themselves, knowing that they were guilty of adultery and fornication and are convicted by their conscience that after the Sunday service, they know that they will still return to the same thing (adultery and fornication). The church did not offer them the proper solution that God has made available to them. It is not even a permissive will. It is a perfect will of God that you can marry more than one wife.

PT: How did your fellow priests react to your decision?

LOTANNA: I’m not talking about my fellow priests.

PT: You were quoted saying that men should marry their “side girls” to escape hellfire. Can you talk more about this?

LOTANNA: During our teaching, I will expand on it. It’s not just marrying the girl next door. They can go to some kind of purification rite. If you come to us in the movement that we are floating, I will give you guidelines on how to go to purify yourself to ask God for forgiveness for what you have been doing. Whoever is entering your eye (ie someone you are attracted to), who is causing you to sin against God, marry her first. Don’t sleep with her. Marry her in your house and then enjoy her.

PT: How does your wife react to all this?

LOTANNA: I said I’m not talking about priestly families. I’m not talking about my wife.

PT: Since you are promoting polygamy, should the number of wives a man marries be unlimited or is there a set number?

LOTANNA: It will be part of the teaching. Follow us on our YouTube channel. It will come in series.

PT: Which church are you moving to now? Or are you seeing your movement graduate into ministry?

LOTANNA: That’s it (Church). I have given the name that, as inspired by me, my church will bear. So, step by step, we will take it. I have been calling it a movement, but it is really a church.

PT: How did church members react to your resignation?

LOTANNA: Many of the church members have called, asking what happened. First I took a one-year study leave and then I left. After studying the concept over and over again, I tendered my resignation. I had left the church before submitting my resignation. So, it was a shock to many of them. Many of them said that they know that God will then direct me correctly, while some say ‘no, we don’t need this concept. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. You must wait until we start the teachings and you will know if it is from God or not.

PT: Are you from a polygamous family? Is your dad polygamous?

LOTANNA: I’m not from a polygamous family. My father is not polygamous.

PT: As a former Anglican clergyman, what is your biggest regret about being a priest?

LOTANNA: I don’t regret anything. The priesthood is something I am happy to do. It’s just that the call is taking me further. And I am someone who respects jurisdiction very well. As a lawyer too, I respect jurisdiction. I cannot stay in the Anglican Church and be doing what Anglican doctrine does not support. I understood that perfectly. That will amount to disobedience and infidelity.

PT: If a man wants to marry his daughter as a second or third wife, will he gladly accept or oppose it?

LOTANNA: Now that I’m in this (movement), every part of me is in polygamy. So if any young man wants to marry my daughter as a second wife, I will not object. If two adults agree to get married, what I will make sure, as I am also teaching, is that they will not even kiss before the wedding. That is sinful. But if you agree to marry, don’t even kiss each other, let alone have sex.

PT: Nigeria has several pressing challenges: economic, political, and security challenges. Do you think this country needs this concept right now?

LOTANNA: Polygamy will perfectly help the economy. Look at some countries with high populations. You see how its economy is snowballing. We are even unpopulated here in Nigeria. In short, once there are more hands, more work can be done, faster.

Credit – Premuim Times