According to Punch, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has suspended Idowu Iluyomade, the Senior Pastor of the City of David Parish in Lagos State. This decision follows the lavish 60th birthday celebration of his wife, Siju.
According to a source who spoke with Church Times, Pastor Iluyomade received his suspension letter over the weekend. He has been replaced by Pastor Charles Kpandei of the church’s Resurrection Parish Region 11, effective immediately.
The source revealed that Iluyomade was suspended for three months by the church’s Governing Council. This decision came after a panel was constituted to investigate allegations against him and the parish. A top pastor within the church, who requested anonymity, disclosed to Church Times that the suspension was a response to public outcry against the extravagant birthday party, which took place shortly after the death of Access Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe.
Fondly known as PID, Iluyomade has faced criticism for hosting the 60th birthday party for his wife, Siju, just a week after Wigwe’s death in a helicopter crash in the United States. Many perceived the celebration as insensitive, given Wigwe’s significant contributions to the church.
In addition to his role at City of David, Iluyomade serves as the Special Assistant to the RCCG General Overseer on Christian Social Responsibility through the His Love Foundation. It is not yet clear if he has been relieved of this responsibility as well.
Iluyomade’s suspension is linked to two key issues: the audit of the church and his alleged resistance to being transferred from the parish. An anonymous source detailed, “The church’s Governing Council met on two issues: the audit of the church, where questions were raised, and the issue of the pastor allegedly resisting transfer.”
The source continued, “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.”
