The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has suspended Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, the Senior Pastor of the City of David parish, amid a controversy surrounding a lavish 60th birthday party he threw for his wife.
The suspension of Iluyomade has has stirred discussions within the church community.
According to ChurchTimes, the suspension was a decision made by the church’s governing council rather than by Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of RCCG.
A senior pastor from the church who pleaded anonymity, stated that, “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,” the source added.
The suspension was reportedly communicated to Iluyomade via a letter.
In the interim, Pastor Charles Kpandei from RCCG Resurrection Parish of Region 11 has been appointed to replace Iluyomade.
The controversy surrounding Iluyomade intensified following the death of Herbert Wigwe, a prominent member of the parish, who tragically died in a helicopter crash in February along with his wife Chizoba, their son Chizi, and a former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
Fueling the controversy, Dr. Siju Iluyomade, the wife of Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, hosted a lavish birthday celebration at Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, shortly after Wigwe’s death.
The event featured popular singer Flavour N’abania, who performed several hit songs, including “Ada Ada,” “Berna,” and “Adamma.” The presence of a secular singer at the event and the timing of the celebration sparked criticism from some members of the public and church community.
