By John Ogunsemore
Former Senator for Kogi West, Dino Melaye has explained his decision to shun this year’s Shiloh, the annual gathering organised by the Living Faith Church Worldwide.
He disclosed that the retirement of former Vice President of church, Bishop David Abioye informed his decision.
Melaye stated this in an X post on Sunday.
Shiloh 2024 commenced on December 10 and wrapped up on December 15.
Explaining his decision to shun the popular gathering, Melaye said he could not understand why Abioye is retired when the church’s founder, Bishop David Oyedepo, who is older, is not.
“I did not attend Shiloh 2024. Because Shiloh without Bishop Abioye is somehow.
“I can’t understand why Bishop Oyedepo, who is older, is not retired, and it is Bishop Abioye who is younger that should be forcefully retired.
“God did not retire Abioye, only Oyedepo did. Let’s watch,” he said.
Daily Sun recalls that Abioye and the second Vice President of the church, Thomas Aremu, retired in October.
Both preachers had served in the church for four and three decades respectively at the time of retirement.
At the time, the senior preachers’ retirements stirred a mild debate about leadership transition and succession planning within religious organisations.
Melaye’s comment reignited that debate.
Reacting to the senator’s comment, a cleric, Pastor Ehi John urged him to seek clarity before taking uninformed positions.
He said, “When a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that ought to know better talking this way then it calls for serious concern.
“The constitution of the church states the position of the president and General Overseer being the founder is life time. Any other minister period of retirement shall be 60 years of age.
“Bishop Abioye has reached the age of retirement based on the constitution of the church.
“After the death of the founder, any other General Overseer retirement age shall be 60 years.
“This is Living Faith constitution. Don’t judge what you don’t know please. The church is not like the Nigeria govt that doesn’t respect its constitution.”
However, another commentator, Igbo Clifford Chimaizuobi backed Melaye.
“People asking him to mind his business forget that church isn’t just any business; church is built by a community and from donations, hence she’s answerable to her members,” he said.