The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has suspended Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, the Senior Pastor of the City of David parish, amid escalating controversy.
The suspension, reportedly enacted over the weekend, has sparked discussions within the church community.
ChurchTimes reports that the decision to suspend Iluyomade was made by the church’s governing council rather than Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of RCCG.
“It wasn’t Pastor Adeboye who suspended him. The governing council decided to suspend him. I believe it’s a necessary step, although some feel it’s overdue,” shared a senior pastor from the church, who requested anonymity.
Iluyomade is said to have been suspended for a period of three months by the church’s Governing Council. Additionally, a panel has been convened to investigate various allegations against him and the parish.
The suspension follows public outcry against Iluyomade and the church.
“They needed to investigate some of the allegations being made against him and the church,” the source emphasized.
The suspension was reportedly communicated to Iluyomade via a formal letter.
In the interim, Pastor Charles Kpandei from RCCG Resurrection Parish of Region 11 has been appointed to fill the vacancy left by Iluyomade.
The controversy surrounding Iluyomade escalated following the tragic death of Herbert Wigwe, a prominent member of the parish, who lost his life in a helicopter crash in February along with his wife, Chizoba, their son, Chizi, and former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
Adding fuel to the controversy, Dr. Siju Iluyomade, the wife of Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, hosted an opulent birthday celebration at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, shortly after Wigwe’s passing.
Chukwudi Iwuchukwu, a social commentator, expressed disapproval, stating, “After all the charity and benevolence, it’s offensive and inappropriate to host such an extravagant party a week after the death of a man whose contributions sustained your husband’s ministry when his body is barely cold. I wonder what Wigwe would think in the afterlife seeing such a carnival at the Eko Hotel Lagos just a week after his death. This is a lesson for the living.”
Similar sentiments were echoed on social media, although some dismissed them as distractions.
Notably, signs of the Wigwe family’s disapproval surfaced when The City of David Parish was omitted from Wigwe’s funeral programs. Typically, churches attended by deceased individuals play significant roles in their funeral ceremonies. However, another RCCG Parish in Lagos replaced the City of David for the funeral service.
During one of the services held for Wigwe, Iluyomade paid tribute to the deceased, describing him as a “God’s general” and recalling his philanthropic deeds. He highlighted Wigwe’s significant contributions to various charitable projects, including support for indigent students and the nurturing of talents through the Herbert Wigwe Foundation.
Despite these acknowledgments, the timing and manner of the lavish celebration organized by the Iluyomades have raised questions and stirred controversy within the church community and beyond.
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