Pastor Idowu Iluyomade has resigned from his pastoral appointment with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). Until recently, he served as the senior pastor of the City of David Parish, Region 20. However, following a transfer to the Throne of Grace branch in Ebute Metta, Lagos, which is the mission’s headquarters, he was expected to take on the role of Pastor-in-Charge of elders.
Pastor Charles Kpandei, formerly in charge of the RCCG Resurrection Parish of Region 11, has been appointed to replace Iluyomade at the City of David Parish. Kpandei notably preached at a combined Service of Songs on March 7, 2024, at the RCCG Resurrection Parish in Lekki, Lagos, for the late Wigwes.
The transfer announcement, made last Sunday, did not sit well with Iluyomade and his wife, Siju, both of whom were absent from the service. Consequently, Iluyomade submitted his resignation on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
Sources suggest Iluyomade’s transfer may be linked to the lavish 60th birthday party his wife hosted on February 18, 2024. The event, held at Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos, featured performances by highlife singer Chinedu Okoli, aka Flavour, and was attended by prominent figures like Tony Elumelu, chairman of United Bank for Africa, and Nneka Onyeali Ikpe, managing director of Fidelity Bank, among others.
The timing of the party was considered insensitive by many, as it occurred shortly after the tragic death of Herbert Wigwe, founding CEO of Access Holdings Plc, his wife Chizoba, and their son in a helicopter crash in the US on February 9. Wigwe was a significant church member and financier. Despite a condolence visit from the church’s General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboyega, the Iluyomades’ perceived lack of empathy led to the Wigwe family distancing themselves from both the Iluyomades and the City of David branch.
The Iluyomades have not publicly commented on recent events and have not disclosed their future plans.
