A young couple, Mr. Michael Obinna and Mrs. Rebecca Obinna, whose wedding was abruptly cancelled by Assemblies of God Church, Okpu 2 in Aba, eventually tied the knot in another church the same day—bringing an emotional and dramatic chapter in their love story to a triumphant close.
According to a report by PUO Report, the couple, who had been making preparations for months, faced repeated setbacks and unexpected requirements from their local church leadership, culminating in the shocking decision to cancel their wedding ceremony on the morning of April 20, 2025.
In a detailed account shared by the bride, Rebecca, the issues began when her fiancé—who was a new convert in the Assemblies of God Church—attempted to get approval from the church leadership to conduct the wedding. Despite following the church’s instructions, meeting their physical and material requirements, and even participating in baptismal classes, the couple was subjected to increasingly strict and unusual demands, many of which were not disclosed at the outset.
Some of these included:
• Sleeping for three days in the church pastornage before the wedding.
• Bringing specific items like garri, sugar, milk, and coconut for traditional “pre-wedding rites”.
• Submitting to a surprise pregnancy test despite already providing results earlier.
• Specific rules about makeup, attire, and even contributions such as a quarter bag of rice and a live chicken for the pastor and his wife after the wedding.
The bride, who is a devout Catholic, tried to accommodate these requirements for the sake of unity, but the couple consistently met resistance and what they described as “last-minute rules” that put undue pressure on them and their families.
According to Rebecca, tensions peaked on the wedding morning after heavy rains, a delayed bridal gown delivery, and overwhelming anxiety. Despite all these challenges, the bride finally arrived at the church only to hear the pastor declare that the wedding had been cancelled because she failed to sleep in the church as required by their doctrine.
Family members from both sides pleaded with the church leadership to reconsider, but their appeals were rejected. A church official reportedly even removed the couple’s wedding banner from the premises as a sign that the ceremony had been nullified.
Undeterred, the couple quickly relocated to another nearby church, where they were warmly received and successfully wedded that same day.
“To the glory of God, we were finally joined in holy matrimony,” Rebecca said. “It wasn’t easy, but love won in the end.”
The incident has sparked conversations online and in local communities about church doctrines, pastoral authority, and how some religious institutions handle the sacred union of marriage. Many have expressed sympathy and support for the couple, commending them for their resilience and for standing firm in the face of adversity.
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