The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has suspended the Senior Pastor of the City of David Parish of the church and also the head of the Apapa Family of the RCCG, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade.
It was gathered from sources in the church that his suspension was done via a letter sent to him at the weekend.
It was further learnt that he has since been replaced by Pastor Charles Kpandei of RCCG Resurrection Parish of Region 11 of the church.
A church member, who further revealed that Kpandei resumed at the City of David on Sunday, June 2, said the new Pastor was, however, given a cold reception.
It was not a surprise because the church members 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 confide in them that PID as he was fondly called would have to be removed from the parish.
“The reason for this was to get the confidence of these top people because of the great influence of Pastor Iluyomade in the parish for years,’’ the source explained.
It was also gathered that Iluyomade was suspended for three months by the Governing Council of the church to enable him stand before a panel set up by RCCG to investigate some of the allegations against him and the parish.
Observers opined that the decision to suspend Iluyomade might not be unconnected to the public outcry against the lavish birthday party organised to celebrate his wife’s 60th birthday anniversary shortly after the death of a member of the parish and Group CEO of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, who many believed contributed immensely to the growth of the parish.
Recalls that some netizens had criticised the Iluyomades for being insensitive while others opined that their life must continue after Wigwe’s demise.