The Senior Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God City of David Parish, in Lagos State, Idowu Iluyomade has been transferred after he was suspended.
Iluyomade, before his transfer from the church was suspended after the elaborate 60th birthday celebration of his wife, Siju, The Punch reports.
The pastor who also served as the head of Apapa Family of the church’s annex, got his letter of his suspension over the weekend and was replaced by Pastor Charles Kpandei of the church’s Resurrection Parish Region 11 with immediate effect a source told the Church Times.
Iluyomade was suspended for three months by the Governing Council of the church after a panel was constituted to look into the allegations against him and the parish the source added.
Meanwhile, there are other views concerning the suspension as top pastor in the church who prefers to be anonymous told Church Times that the decision to suspend Iluyomade is a response to the public outcry against the extravagant birthday party of his wife shortly after the death of the then Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe.
Following the 60th birthday of his wife, Siji, PID as he is fondly called has been in the eyes of the storm.
Although, the public have commented on the issue as many people believed the birthday, which was celebrated just about a week after the death of Wigwe in a helicopter crash in the US, was in bad taste.
Wigwe had been an immense blessing to the church before his transition. But the birthday party suggested the church had no emotional attachment to him.
On his other portfolio, it was also confirmed that Iluyomade is the Special Assistant to the RCCG General Overseer on Christian Social Responsibility through His Love Foundation. So far, it has not been confirmed if this responsibility has also been taken from him.
According to The PUNCH Online, the pastor was suspended on two issues bordering on the audit of the church and the alleged resistance by the pastor to be transferred from the parish.
Our source, who craved anonymity because of the weight of the matter, said, “The church’s Governing Council met on two issues, the issue of an audit of the church where questions were asked and the issue that the pastor allegedly resisted transfer.
“The council then resolved to suspend Iluyomade for three months, during which time the pastor next to him will be in charge.
“When he resumes from suspension, the council also resolved that he should resume at the church’s headquarters, not the City of David.”
