Wigwe: RCCG Süspends Pastor Idowu Iluyomade

By Akinwale Kasali

The Leadership of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, RCCG, has suspended Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, Senior Pastor of the City of David, COD, Parish of the Church for a period of three months.

Pastor Iluyomade who is, also, the Head of the Apapa Family of the RCCG, was replaced by Pastor Charles Kpandei of RCCG Resurrection Parish of Region 11 of the Church.

The reason for the suspension of the Pastor is, allegedly, connected to the  very extravagant birthday party thrown by his Wife, Siji Iluyomade,  a few weeks  after the tragic death of Access Bank Holdings Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe. He died in a Helicopter Crash alongside his Wife, his Son and an associate in the United States of America.

Wigwe was one the major financiers of the Church and played an unprecedented role in the building of the Church. He also gave the Church loans from Access Bank on liberal terms.

Mrs Iluyomade’s celeberation generated mixed feelings among Nigerians, Christian faithfuls and RCCG Worshippers over what they termed the insensitivity of the Pastor and his wife.

For that celeberation, the  Wigwe family totally blanked the Parish out of all activities connected to the funeral of the Wigwes, and made sure it avoided mentioning the names of the  Iluyomades in their appreciation message which was widely advertised.

On the arrival of Pastor Kpandei to the COD Parish on Sunday, June 2, he was given a cold welcome by the congregation.

It was gathered from sources within the Church that, “Those in the City of David had been expecting Pastor Kpandei. Some top RCCG officials had to meet with some top people in the parish and confided in them that Pastor Illuyomade would have to be removed from the parish.

“They needed to get the confidence of these top people because of the great influence of Pastor Iluyomade in the parish. The RCCG was not sure of the outcome of its move, so it had to be discreet. He may not be returned to the parish after the suspension.

“We have just three months to the convention. It may be a way of taking him away from the place permanently. He has spent many years in that parish. He needed to be moved. ”

According to sources, Iluyomade was suspended for three months by the Governing Council of the Church. A panel has also been set up to investigate some of the allegations against him and the parish.

A top Pastor in the Church who prefers to be anonymous said that the decision to suspend Iluyomade is a response to the public outcry against the extravagant birthday party of his wife shortly after Wigwe’s Wigwe.

“It was not Pastor Adeboye that suspended him. The Governing Council decided to suspend him. I think it’s a decision in the right direction. Though some believe it is coming late. They needed to investigate some of the things people were saying against him and the Church.”

Fondly called PID, Pastor Iluyomade has been in the eyes of the storm following the 60th birthday of his wife, Siji Iluyomade.

Many people believed the birthday which was celebrated just about a week after the unfortunate death of Wigwe in that helicopter crash in the US was in bad taste.  Wigwe had been of immense blessing to the Church before his transition. But the birthday party suggested the church had no emotional attachment to him.

Apart from being in charge of the City of David, Iluyomade is the Special Assistant to the RCCG General Overseer on Christian Social Responsibility through His Love Foundation. It’s not clear yet if this responsibility has been taken from him too.

Iluyomade is a lawyer of close to 40 years with interests in Advocacy and commercial practice especially in the areas of International Trade Finance, Mergers and acquisitions, international Joint Ventures, Energy Law, and a host of other engagements.