A former Kogi State Senator, Dino Melaye, has criticised the absence of Bishop David Abioye from Shiloh 2024, the annual gathering organised by the Living Faith Church Worldwide.
Melaye, a known public commentator, took to social media to express his disapproval, suggesting that the retirement of Bishop Abioye, a younger senior pastor, raises questions about the church’s leadership structure.
“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,” Melaye tweeted, further alleging that the decision was man-made rather than divinely orchestrated.
“God did not retire Abioye, only Oyedepo did. Let’s watch,” he added in an X post on his official account on Sunday.
PUNCH Online reports that Shiloh, the Annual Convocation of the Winners family worldwide, was held between December 10th and 15th, 2024.
Also in October PUNCH reported that the two vice presidents, Abioye and Thomas Aremu, of the church will retire after serving for over four and three decades.
Meanwhile, the church’s founder, Bishop David Oyedepo, had also urged critics to refrain from questioning the church’s decisions regarding the retirement of its pastors.
The former senator’s comments have reignited debates over succession planning and leadership transitions within religious organisations.
During his Valedictory Service at the Living Faith Church, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan, in October, the other deputy, Aremu reflected on his journey since 1983, expressing gratitude for the spiritual guidance he received from Bishop David Oyedepo, the church’s founder.
There, he explained why he could not establish any church after retirement.
In November, Abioye announced via his X handle, #BishopDOAbioye that he would make known on Monday, November 11, his next chapter.
While some online commentators share Melaye’s sentiments, others argue that internal church matters should not be publicly criticised.
This development has thrust the leadership decisions of the Living Faith Church, headed by Oyedepo, into the spotlight, with many waiting to see if the church will address Melaye’s remarks.