AKWA IBOM, UYO – After nearly 24 years of internal conflict, the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star has taken a significant step toward resolution with the appointment of a new Board of Trustees.
The Nigerian Christian religious organisation, long plagued by leadership disputes, now has a legally recognized board to oversee its affairs.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Sister Victoria B. Clarke, made this announcement on Thursday, February 27, during a press conference at the organisation’s world headquarters on Nsikak Avenue in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
She described the new trustees as individuals of exceptional integrity who are committed to upholding the true values of the Brotherhood.
“This board is the only legally recognized entity authorized to manage the kingdom’s affairs and represent it globally,” Clarke stated. “It marks a fresh beginning for the Brotherhood, allowing us to showcase the true beauty of the kingdom to the world.”
Legally Recognized Leadership
According to the Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the updated list of trustees includes Victoria Clarke, Alex Igwe, Christine Okpala, Emmanuel Obayoriade, Anthony Udeh, Lawrence Nwegbo, Samuel Effiok, Maria Onyeacholem, Ime Udo, Raphael Akpan, and Nicholas Odum—several of whom were present at the press briefing.
The Brotherhood of the Cross and Star was originally incorporated on March 28, 1964, but its leadership structure has now been legally updated following a resolution passed on December 20, 2024.
Clarke reaffirmed the organisation’s spiritual leadership, declaring, “Let it be known by all and sundry that there is one Head of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, and that is Leader Olumba Olumba Obu, the Sole Spiritual Head, the long-awaited Promised Comforter. He has no assistant and no deputy.”
Denouncing Leadership Claims and Internal Conflict
Addressing internal disputes, Clarke emphasized that while the Brotherhood acknowledges His Holiness Roland Olumba Obu as the second son of the Leader, he is not divine and will never be recognized as such.
She further distanced the organisation from factions that have, in her words, misrepresented its values.
“The Brotherhood of the Cross and Star is not a militant organisation or a family business,” Clarke stated. “What we expected from His Holiness Roland Obu, whom his followers acclaim to be God, was to behave as a man of God—embracing all members with love and seeking a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
“But instead, his faction embarked on a series of Bethel invasions, court cases, and police reports across the country and beyond.”
She strongly condemned these actions, calling them a disgrace to the Brotherhood’s legacy.
“No responsible religious organisation conducts itself in such a shameful and disgraceful manner,” Clarke said. “The violence perpetrated by our adversaries over the last twenty-four years has stained the reputation of this great kingdom.
“These actions are foreign to the Brotherhood and contradict the recondite teachings of Leader Olumba Olumba Obu.”
Clarifying the Brotherhood’s Doctrines
During the conference, Clarke also addressed misconceptions about the Brotherhood, asserting that such misunderstandings stem from the actions of the faction loyal to His Holiness Roland Obu.
“The Brotherhood of the Cross and Star is a religion of peace, as demonstrated by our official greeting—‘Peace’—and our Motto, ‘Love, Faith, and Hope,’” she explained. “We are taught to love one another, regardless of color, creed, or political affiliation.”
She also outlined key aspects of the Brotherhood’s doctrine and practices:
The official attire is a white soutane, the holy garment referenced in Revelation 7:13-14.
The Brotherhood does not use purple, blue, green, or multi-colored soutanes, nor does it possess covenant boxes, white handkerchiefs, or giant horns.
Titles such as Eminences, Patriarchs, Ambassadors, Vanguards, and Blessed Mothers are not part of its hierarchy.
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Members walk barefoot in reverence to God (Exodus 3:4-5) and pray in the name of Jesus Christ, through whom they seek forgiveness of sins.
“This is the time for us to reveal to the world the true image of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star—the new kingdom of God on earth, where righteousness dwells,” Clarke declared. “We are angels of peace, and our arms are outstretched to welcome anyone who truly desires to worship God as taught by our father.”
A History of Division
The Brotherhood, founded 68 years ago, has faced persistent internal strife, particularly after the passing of Leader Olumba Olumba Obu. In the aftermath, both Roland Olumba Obu and his sister, Ibum Olumba Obu, have laid claim to leadership, each backed by a faction of followers.
This division has severely impacted the once-unified religious movement, leading to court battles and violent confrontations, especially in the Brotherhood’s ancestral base in Biakpan, Cross River State.
With the newly appointed Board of Trustees now in place, Clarke expressed optimism that the Brotherhood can finally move forward, free from the conflicts that have overshadowed its spiritual mission for over two decades.