As a pastor, when a sister smiles at you, run—Adeboye

For the first time since Pastor Abiodun Fatoyinbo and Busola Dakolo’s rape news broke, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor E.A. Adeboye has broken silence on the well advertised, analysized and protested scandal. Intelligently, he made his comment with an admirable caution.

Mrs Dakolo, wife of popular singer, Timi Dakolo, former chorister and member of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly COZA, told YNaija on Thursday, June 27, in the emotional interview, that she was 16 when Pastor Abiodun  Fatoyinbo, the senior pastor of the church, raped her in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Simultaneously, there were torrents of reactions from different quarters, associations, union including, of course, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN.

The allegations prompted condemnation of the preacher, who had allegedly faced previous allegations of sexual misconduct from two women.

On Sunday, June 30,  scores of protesters gathered at the church’s headquarters in Abuja to march against Fatoyinbo. Protests also held in Lagos, a development that made the embattled pastor to announce that he would be  ”taking a leave of absence from the pulpit of the church.”

The pastor’s decision came amid public outcry which called on him to step down and address the rape allegations levelled against him by Busola, who, as of Friday, July 5, had approached the police for necessary prosecution process.

Since the news broke, many Nigerians including notable pastors have aired their opinions and also called for an investigation to be carried out to ascertain the truth of the matter that allegedly happened 20 years ago.

Reacting to the news, Pastor Adeboye who spoke during a service at the Redemption Camp, stated that he doesn’t have much to say other than what the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, have said.

“I don’t want to comment on some happenings… Like I’ve always told you when people say ‘why don’t you talk?’. I say I’m under authority. The Redeemed Christian Church of God belongs to CAN and we belong to PFN. And in CAN we have a president, in PFN we have a president. Whatever they say, that’s what I’ve said. That’s why I kept my mouth shut”, he said.

Pastor Adeboye also had a word of advice for aspiring ministers of God. According to him, there’s nothing hidden that shall not come to the open. He went on to warn them that their sins will surely find them.

Speaking further, the man of God warned the aspiring ministers to flee from youthful lust and evil.

“When you see a sister smiling at you in a koi koi way, run. Run as in terror. Don’t say, ‘nah, I’m a great man of God, I’m highly anointed’. Ask Samson”, he said.