PASTOR ENOCH ADEBOYE, Only stepped down, REMAINS HEAD OF REDEEMED CHRISTIAN

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has clarified that Pastor E. A Adeboye only stepped down as General Overseer in Nigeria but remains the head of RCCG World­wide.

In a statement by Leke Adeboye, the GO’s last son and Personal Assis­tant, he explained that the clarification came on the heels of misrepresentation of Pastor Adeboye’s an­nouncement at the Annu­al Ministers’ Thanksgiving held at the Redemption Camp.

He said that the church in Nigeria is now being headed by Pastor Joseph Obayemi

As a result of the an­nouncement, several Ni­gerians had arrived at the conclusion that Adeboye had seized to be General Overseer of RCCG.

The statement reads: “Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye remains the Gen­eral Overseer, Worldwide of The Redeemed Chris­tian Church of God, RCCG.

“The clarification is coming on the heels of misrepresentation of Pas­tor E. A. Adeboye’s an­nouncement at the Annu­al Ministers’ Thanksgiving held at the Redemption Camp that the church in Nigeria is now to be led by Pastor Joseph Obayemi.”

The younger Adeboye said that the latest devel­opment was sequel to the new legal requirements by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), guiding all registered churches, mosques, and Civil Soci­ety Organisations (CSOs).

The regulation stipu­lates that heads of non-profit organizations like churches now have a max­imum period of 20 years to lead their organizations while in retirement, they are not allowed to hand over to their families.

Leke Adeboye reiter­ated that Pastor Funsho Odesola will now serve as the new Church Secre­tary while Pastor Joseph Adeyokunu is the new Church Treasurer.

He advised all members of RCCG to understand the new structure and go about their services to God and humanity in ho­liness and soul-winning.

Leke Adeboye also ap­pealed to the members to educate other Nigeri­ans on the issue and not spread inaccurate infor­mation, stressing that Pastor Adeboye remains the General Overseer of RCCG Worldwide.

Meanwhile, the Se­nior Pastor of Overflow­ing Grace Bible Church, Archbishop-elect Sun­day Uanhomo, has con­demned the Federal Gov­ernment for interfering in the running of churches in Nigeria, describing the action as backward.

In an interview with The AUTHORITY on Sunday, the clergyman said: “The government of Nigeria is backward. When leaders cannot see the light, they operate in the dark. There is no­where in the world that the government inter­feres in the running of the church or fix the retire­ment age of the General Overseer.

“In the case of Papa Adeboye, it is written in the constitution of the church that the General Overseer must retire at a certain age. This problem has been on for over five years. Though I am not part of RCCG but I think that Papa Adeboye has been able to resolve the situation amicably.

“The church is a good and organized setting. It is different from Islamic organizations which take directive either from the Sultan or from Saudi Ara­bia. Most viable churches in Nigeria are registered and are a legal entity. There­fore, the Islamic organisa­tions must be registered for them to have legal backing. Though I don’t know their status but if they are not registered, the government should also mandate them to register.”

Archbishop Uanhomo noted that Nigeria is in a state of confusion and the church should not accept any interference from the government otherwise, it will lose its spiritual pow­er. “I want to appeal to our spiritual leaders to stand firm and defend their positions, churches, and Christian organizations.

“I want to also use this medium to talk to Mr. President and other lead­ers of the nation to face their work of developing the country rather than go into church politics.