A distinguished leader within the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, recently resigned from his position.
He had served as the senior pastor at the City of David Parish, Region 20, one of the church’s most successful branches. However, last week, he was transferred to the Throne of Grace branch in Ebute Metta, Lagos, the mission’s headquarters, to take on the role of Pastor-in-Charge of elders.
This change was part of a broader leadership shuffle within the RCCG. Pastor Charles Kpandei, who was previously the Pastor-in-Charge of RCCG Resurrection Parish of Region 11, was appointed to succeed Iluyomade at the City of David Parish.
Kpandei had recently preached at the combined Service of Songs on March 7, 2024, at the RCCG Resurrection Parish in Lekki, Lagos State, honoring the late Herbert Wigwe and his family.
Iluyomade and his wife, Siju, were notably absent from the church service when the transfer was announced, a sign that the move was not well-received by them. This dissatisfaction led to Iluyomade’s resignation, which he submitted on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
Sources suggest that the transfer might be linked to the extravagant 60th birthday party Siju Iluyomade hosted on February 18, 2024. The lavish celebration at Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos featured performances by highlife and sensual singer Chinedu Okoli, known as Flavour, and was attended by notable figures such as Tony Elumelu, chairman of United Bank for Africa; Nneka Onyeali Ikpe, managing director of Fidelity Bank; and Oba Ghandi Olaoye, the Soun of Ogbomoso and a former RCCG pastor.
The timing and opulence of the party sparked controversy, as it was held shortly after the tragic helicopter crash on February 9, which claimed the lives of Herbert Wigwe, the founding CEO of Access Holdings Plc, his wife Chizoba, and their son. Wigwe was a prominent member and financier of the church, making the Iluyomades’ celebration seem particularly insensitive to many Nigerians.
