An elder in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), City of David Parish, Quincy Ayodele, has strongly denied claims that the former Pastor-in-charge, Idowu Iluyomade, rebelled against the church before founding his own ministry.
In a recent interview with Daddy Freeze, posted on his YouTube channel, Ayodele expressed her surprise and disappointment over the treatment of Iluyomade following his three-month suspension by the church leadership.
The natural medicine practitioner, who has been with the RCCG for over three decades, shared that she had anticipated Iluyomade’s eventual return to his parish after serving the suspension, but was shocked to learn he was instead issued a directive not to return to the City of David.
Ayodele explained, “We were expecting that after the three months, he would be restored to the City of David. But to our surprise, we heard that he was given a letter stating he must not step foot into the church again.”
Her remarks reflect her deep concern over the church’s decision, particularly as she highlighted the close bond between Iluyomade and the church’s General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
“Pastor Adeboye and Pastor Iluyomade were like father and son. There was nothing Adeboye wanted that Iluyomade wouldn’t do for him,” Ayodele noted.
Addressing further claims of rebellion, Ayodele maintained that Iluyomade did not challenge the authority of the church.
“He was told not to enter the City of David. Why this decision was made is known only to Pastor Adeboye, the governing council, and God,” she said, adding that the motives behind the expulsion remain unclear.
In a bid to resolve the matter, Ayodele revealed that some elders in the church had written letters of appeal to Pastor Adeboye, urging him to reconsider the drastic action taken against Iluyomade. However, she lamented that these appeals went unanswered.
Despite the lack of response from the church leadership, Ayodele noted that the Iluyomades sought refuge at the Kings Court parish, another RCCG church founded by Iluyomade. Unfortunately, they were later asked to leave, despite being initially welcomed and honoured as founding pastors.
This sequence of events led Ayodele to question whether the church was truly living up to its teachings.
“Pastor Adeboye taught us that if one sheep is lost out of 100, Jesus would go after it. Now, I ask, will he let Pastor Iluyomade be lost to the world?” she asked.
Reflecting on Iluyomade’s contributions to the RCCG, Ayodele recalled the many projects he spearheaded, including free schools and feeding programmes for the less fortunate.
“Iluyomade did so much for RCCG and Pastor Adeboye, He impacted society and used church funds to benefit the community,” she said.
Ayodele also addressed rumours suggesting that late Herbert Wigwe, former CEO of Access Bank, was the largest contributor to the construction of the Trinity Towers at the City of David.
She denied this, emphasising that many individuals, including those influenced by Iluyomade, had made substantial contributions to the project.
The elder further shared how several prominent Nigerians attempted to intervene on Iluyomade’s behalf, pleading with Pastor Adeboye to lift the restrictions imposed on him. However, Ayodele claimed their efforts were in vain.
“They begged him, but he said Iluyomade was paying a loan and that he should finish paying it without asking for money from anyone. But the real question is, why not let him come back and finish what he started?” she said.
Asked about the role of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in the dispute, Ayodele remarked that no one could speak to Pastor Adeboye unless he felt directed by God.
“My daddy hears from God. Whatever he says is what we believe,” she explained.
Ayodele also shared that Iluyomade never intended to start a new church. She revealed that his decision was driven by a sense of abandonment by the very community he had helped for years.
“The people they helped abandoned them during their time of trial. They weren’t even praying for him in the City of David,” she said.
Reflecting on a recent comment by Pastor Adeboye, who insinuated that those who left the church were ‘demons’, Ayodele expressed confusion and sorrow.
“I started wondering, is this my daddy speaking? What is going on?” she said, admitting that the remark had left her deeply troubled.
Despite the challenges, Ayodele remained hopeful that reconciliation could be achieved.
“I did not follow Pastor Iluyomade when he started his own church because I believed the matter could still be resolved,” she said.
She also expressed her desire to meet Pastor Adeboye personally, to appeal for forgiveness on behalf of Iluyomade, whom she believes was unjustly treated.
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