The City of David Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Lagos has suspended Pastor Idowu Iluyomade. This decision follows the extravagant birthday party thrown by his wife shortly after the death of Herbert Wigwe, former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings Plc.
According to ChurchTimes, a top pastor within the church, who requested anonymity, stated that the suspension was a response to public outcry over the party. The pastor clarified, “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.”
Sources in the church revealed that the suspension was communicated via a letter over the weekend. Pastor Charles Kpandei of RCCG Resurrection Parish of Region 11 has since replaced Iluyomade.
Wigwe, who died in a helicopter crash in February, was a member of the City of David Parish. The tragic accident also claimed the lives of his wife, Chizoba; their son, Chizi; and a former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), Abimbola Ogunbanjo. Following this tragedy, Dr. Siju Iluyomade, wife of Pastor Iluyomade, held a lavish birthday party at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, which stirred controversy.
Many expressed their displeasure at the timing of the celebration, considering it was held just weeks after the deaths of prominent church members. The Wigwe family’s disapproval became evident when the City of David Parish was notably absent from Wigwe’s funeral programs, with another RCCG Parish in Lagos replacing it for the funeral service.
