The unauthorized self-proclamation of leadership in the Ife Region has led to a clear consensus among Shepherds in the region to assert their rights, as the Church authority engages in political manoeuvring rather than seeking a lasting resolution to the unrest.
It has been confirmed that the Church authority announced the establishment of 3 Regional Headquarters in Osun State, namely- CCC Osogbo Cathedral, CCC Ilesha Cathedral, & CCC Moore Cathedral, Ile Ife, with designated shepherds assigned to oversee the Parishes. However, the situation in Ile Ife Region has been a source of concern for worshippers in the town & it’s environs, as a Shepherd publicly declared himself as the Head of the region, in defiance of the approved V/S/E Alfred Ebenezer Jackson, who is also facing internal discord as his primary post of duty.
Despite multiple meetings between Shepherds in the region and the Pastor, no concrete solutions have been reached. Instead, V/S/E Adeniyi, who was seen in a viral video on Facebook, has taken it upon himself to declare himself as the Head of the Ife Region, claiming that the Pastor has authorized him to act as a representative in the Parish. It has also come to light that, despite V/S/E Adeniyi not being the approved Head of the Ife Region, he continues to send money to the Pastor’s Office under the guise of being the Head of the Region, while the Pastor’s Office accepts the funds without reprimanding him for acting against the established authority.
The shepherds in the region have made a collective decision to fight for their rights. They have resolved that no Pastor Representative will be allowed in any of their parishes, and they will not send their monthly returns to the Pastor’s office. They feel that the Pastor only listens to them without taking any action as the Supreme Head of the Church.
On the 17th June 2023, Celestial Prerogative News reported that Pastor Femi Arayemi, the Shepherd of CCC Tabernacle of Christ in Ile Ife, was reassigned to a Parish in Kaduna State. Additionally, V/S/E Adeniyi was transferred from his Parish to Plateau State. Despite the Pastor’s instructions, neither of the two shepherds complied. V/S/E Femi Arayemi has chosen to operate discreetly, while V/S/E Adeniyi continues to rally his followers. The actions of these shepherds have caused a stir within the Shepherds in the region and raised questions about their loyalty to the church authority, while the Pastor as failed to enforce any strong actions for the past 18 months.
It is clear that those shepherds are determined to assert their autonomy and ensure that their voices are heard and respected from the Church authority. Their decision to take a stand against the Pastor’s representatives demonstrates their commitment to upholding their rights and responsibilities as leaders in their parishes. The situation in the Ife Region remains unresolved, with tensions escalating due to the conflicting claims of leadership.
N.B- In response to the folly statement made by Superior Evangelist Kayode Ajala regarding the Public Relations work he was hired to do for a small stipend. Celestial Prerogative News has already relayed the message to the Pastor’s wife, who has acknowledged the need to address the situation.
