Lawmaker, Pastors Debate Politics of RCCG Leadership Change

Segun Atanda/

Senior pastors and a lawmaker in Ogun State have given insights into the circumstances surrounding the change in national leadership of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
The reactions followed a statement issued by Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s son and Personal Assistant, Leke, to clarify issues on his father’s announcement today that a new head has been appointed for the Church in Nigeria because of new legal requirement set up by the Financial Regulations Council guiding all registered churches, mosques, and CSOs.
The Church is now to be led by Pastor Joseph O. Obayemi, as the National Overseer, Pastor Funsho Odesola, as the new Church Secretary and Pastor Joseph Adeyokunnu, as the new Church Treasurer.
According to Leke’s statement, the regulation stipulates that heads of non profit organisations like churches now have a maximum period of 20 years to lead their organisations. And, while in retirement, they are not permitted to hand over to their families.
But a 2-term lawmaker in Ogun State, Pastor Remi Hassan, argued that the regulation that was being quoted was not a new legislation by either the National Assembly or the Federal Government, rather a review of an existing regulation by a prescribed authority.
Hassan explained that the implementation of the new regulation was suspended due to protest against it by some multinationals, including KPMG, PriceWaterHouseCooper, among others.
He said: “No such law was passed. Rather, the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, the agency that oversees all private and public matters on corporate governance is empowered by law to regularly issue and review the National Codes on Corporate Governance (NCCG).
“The latest review of the NCCG is what contains both the tenure and age limit under reference. Though, as at November 2016, due to protest from multinationals like KPMG, PriceWaterHouseCooper etc, the implementation of the new codes was suspended from taking off that month. RCCG has gone ahead to review her succession template to conform to the intent of that corporate governance template.”
The statement from RCCG, however, urged all members “to understand this new structure and go about their service to God and humanity in holiness and soul winning”.
It appealed to members to educate people around them and not spread inaccurate information, stressing that Adeboye remains the General Overseer of RCCG Worldwide
Meanwhile, senior pastors of the church, who were present at the Saturday morning meeting, where the decision was announced by Adeboye, have expressed shock at the development.
They also insisted that Adeboye remained the bonafide General Overseer of the Church, as Obayemi was only appointed the National Overseer in Nigeria.
The pastors, who spoke exclusively to Newsmakers, also expressed outrage at the alleged decision of the Federal Government to meddle in the affairs of religious bodies by setting tenure for their leaders.
They described the move as an attempt to weaken the leadership of the church and enable the current administration succeed with its hidden agenda.
One of the pastors, who requested to be anonymous, said, “The GO (Adeboye) had a meeting with senior pastors, earlier today, and gave the same reasons already published for his decision. The consensus was that government is putting its mouth in the affairs of the church.
“We also know Islamisation of Nigeria is top on this government’s agenda. Weakening the leadership of the church is a cheap route to getting there. We Christians are the ones to stand strong.”
Also reiterating the clarification of the change in the church’s leadership structure, he noted: “Please don’t get Daddy GO (Adeboye) wrong. Pastor Obayemi was announced as National Overseer for Nigeria. There are other National Overseers in other countries where we have RCCG churches. Therefore, Daddy GO remains the General Overseer worldwide. He continues to lead RCCG in the other 191 nations as well as in Nigeria. He has not retired.”

To further enlighten its members, the RCCG later issued a memo signed by the Assistant General Overseer (Admin & Personnel), Pastor J. F. Odesola.

The memo addressed to all Assistant General Overseers, SATGOS (Home & Abroad), Pastors in charge of Regions, Pastors in charge of Provinces and Country Coordinators, clarifies the church’s position on its new structure.

It says, “We refer to the 2017 edition of the Annual Thanksgiving service for Ministers in the Redeemed Christian Church of God and the issues discussed concerning the new structure of RCCG Nigeria during the meeting and therefore wish to reiterate the following for your proper information and attention.

“Sequel to some legal provisos guiding the operations of registered Religious Organisations and Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, RCCG in Nigeria now has an Overseer, a General Secretary and a Treasurer.

Pastor Joseph Obayemi, the Assistant General Overseer (Finance) will be the new Overseer for RCCG Nigeria; Pastor Funsho Odesola, the Assistant General Overseer (Admin) will be the General Secretary for RCCG Nigeria; Pastor Joseph Adeyokunnu, the Financial Controller, will be the Treasurer for RCCG Nigeria.

“Kindly be informed that this new structure is particular to Nigeria alone, as Pastor E.A. Adeboye, Daddy G.O. remains the Spiritual Leader and Global Missioner of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

“Kindly pass down this information to Ministers and Workers in your domain to further enhance their understanding about this new structure.”

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