Decision to Appoint National Overseer Irreversible – RCCG

Decision to Appoint National Overseer Irreversible – RCCG

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) on Thursday said its decision to appoint a National Overseer for the Church in Nigeria is irreversible. It dismissed reports that Enoch Adeboye has resigned as the church’s General Overseer, the Punch reports.

The church’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Pastor Segun Adegbiji, told journalists at the Redemption Camp, Mowe, Ogun State, that contrary to popular insinuations that Adeboye appointed an Overseer for the Nigerian operation of the church following the implementation of the now suspended Corporate Governance Code by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, the church had already commenced plans to appoint a country overseer for Nigeria before the regulation came into effect.

“If you know Daddy GO (Adeboye) very well, he does not make such an important decision without consulting the Church Council, and most importantly, God. That decision has been made and it does not in any way affect his position as the General Overseer of the RCCG.

“So, there is no need to reverse the decision after the Federal Government has suspended the implementation of the FRC law.”

Adeboye had resigned as the head of the church in Nigeria on Saturday, reportedly in compliance with the code.

He named Obayemi as the overseer of the church in Nigeria and took on the new title of General Overseer, RCCG, Worldwide.

President Muhammadu Buhari reacted to this development on Monday by sacking the Executive Secretary of the FRC, Mr. Jim Obazee, and suspended the implementation of the code.

Adegbiji explained that RCCG’s rapid growth and the enormous administrative responsibilities that followed the expansion were some of the reasons for the action.

Adegbiji stated, “The RCCG is a fast-growing church and as of the last count, we are in 192 nations of the world and most of these countries have their national or country overseer. So, there is nothing wrong if Nigeria, which also has the blessing of hosting the world headquarters of the RCCG, has its own national overseer.

“However, this does not, in any way, affect the position of the General Overseer as all other national overseers of the church in other countries report to him.

“He has been and he will continue to perform his role without let or hindrance. So, he (Adeboye) has never stepped down as the General Overseer of the RCCG.”

He said the church’s decision to appoint a national overseer, soon after the implementation of the code shows that “RCCG is a law-abiding”

He said, “The church obeys the law. Leaders of the church in other nations are also subject to the law in their respective countries and that was why the church in general and Daddy GO in particular decided we cannot be an exception.

“But we thank God for what has been happening in the country since the GO appointed a national overseer for Nigeria.”

The RCCG also confirmed that Obazee was formerly a pastor in the church, who left his pastoral position to pursue his career in financial accounting, saying the church did not habour any hatred towards him.

Adegbiji said Obayemi would, in the meantime, operate from the Green Pasture Arena in the Somolu area of Lagos, where he was heading the church’s Region 2 for the time being.

He said the Governing Council of the church still had Adeboye as the leader, while Obayemi, six other Assistant General Overseers and two special assistants to the GO were members.

The AGOs, according to the RCCG spokesperson, are Pastors J. F. Odesola, Ayo Adeloye, Olu Obanure, Peter Amenkhienan, E. O. Daramola and E. A. Adeyemi.

The two special assistants in the RCCG’s current council are Pastor Remi Akintunde and Pastor D. G. Kuo.