Rev. Philip Micah Dopah Joins UMCN Episcopal Bishop Race for December 2026

Rev. Philip Micah Dopah Joins UMCN Episcopal Bishop Race for December 2026

The Dean of Cabinet of the Southern Conference of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN), Rev. Philip Micah Dopah, has formally joined the race for the position of Episcopal Bishop of the church ahead of the December 2026 election.

Dopah made his position known on Saturday in Jalingo while addressing journalists at a world press conference, where he explained that his decision to offer himself for the episcopal position followed repeated calls and endorsements from key stakeholders within the church.

He dismissed claims that he was attempting to impose himself on the church as the next Episcopal Bishop, describing such allegations as a misrepresentation of the circumstances surrounding his decision to enter the race.

According to him, his decision was not driven by personal ambition but by what he described as a call from members and recognised bodies within the church who believe he should make himself available for the position.

Dopah said he initially responded to the calls after receiving encouragement from notable stakeholders, including the Board of Ordained Ministry and Board of Laity of the Southern Conference.

He explained that several groups within the conference had also appealed to him to consider offering himself for the episcopal office.

“Even my biological parents through whom I came into this world did not bring me into this ministry, but if God called me into this ministry to serve Him, who am I to say no?” Dopah said.

He added that once the policies and guidelines of the church permitted him to respond to the call, he had no reason to reject the request.

Dopah said the decision became public on July 24, 2026, following calls from notable bodies within the church and endorsements from different groups of the Southern Conference.

He listed the Board of Laity, Board of Ordained Ministry, women, men, young adults and youth forum among those who, according to him, encouraged him to consider the episcopal position.

The cleric also challenged those calling on him to withdraw from the race, saying such demands appeared to be based on a misunderstanding of the church’s procedures governing the emergence of candidates for the episcopal office.

He maintained that the church’s guidelines allow recognised individuals and major bodies within the church to call on a person whom they believe is suitable and spiritually guided to make himself or herself available for consideration.

“I consider those that are calling for my stepping aside as enemies of the Church and lovers of darkness,” he said.

Dopah urged members of the United Methodist Church to approach the forthcoming episcopal contest with understanding and respect for the established processes of the church.

The December 2026 episcopal election is expected to attract significant attention within the UMCN as members prepare to determine who will assume the leadership position.