Why Adeleke, Osun Government snub Pastor Adeboye

By Esther Olorunisakin

Reactions have trailed the decision of the new governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to distance himself from this year's Go-A-Fishing Christmas Programme held in Ada, Boripe Local Government Area of the state on Friday, 23rd December, 2022, inspite formal invitation by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (Osun Region 3).

The Annual programme is designed by the Redeemed Christian Church of God to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and share the Gospel with communities and cities.

In December 24, 2013 when the programme was held in Ede, Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the then governor of the state, was in attendance alongside key government functionaries.

Similarly, in December 2021 when another edition of the programme was held, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the church's General Overseer, was welcomed graciously by high powered government delegation led by the First Lady of the state then, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola and the former deputy governor, Mr Benedict Alabi. Others were Secretary to the State Government Prince Wole Oyebanji, Chief of Staff to the Governor Dr Charles Akinola, APC State Chairman Prince Gboyega Famodun and several members of the the State Exco.

However, in this year's edition, reverse is the case as Governor Adeleke was not only conspicuously absent, he did not send any senior government official to represent him.

Sources said the renowned and respected preacher was snubbed by Adeleke because he did not support his emergence as Osun governor.

Adeleke, according to the sources, misconstrued Pastor Adeboye's closeness to former Governor Gboyega Oyetola as proof of his contempt to his person.

A source within the government who would not like his name mentioned disclosed to this reporter that Adeleke was advised by his close associates to honour the invitation nothwithstanding his reservation towards the Ijesha-born pastor, but the Governor rebuffed saying he would only extend love to those who supported his governorship aspiration.

To conceal his intention and avoid backlash from fans of the great revivalist, the source confirmed that Adeleke hurriedly arranged a Lagos trip and jetted out of the state ahead of the Ada crusade under the pretext of going for Christmas break.

Meanwhile, many RCCG members interviewed after the programme on Friday expressed their displeasure over the humiliation meted out to their spiritual father.

"Governor Ademola Adeleke is supposed to be father to all, irrespective of their religious, social and political class and bias," a visibly angry member submitted.

Nigerians and their silly religious mentality

Does Arigbeshola's attendance of the programme make any difference? The organisers of such programme should know that religion and politics does not mix in multi-religous clime. Religious leaders should focus on winning souls for GOD which is their primary calling and stop attaching themselves like appendage of government.

How does his absence affect the programme held @OP

Op, kindly add your source to authenticate the information.
To the matter arising, if Rauf Aregbesola attended the program in 2013, that means that he did so 3 years after being the governor. The immediate past governor didn't attend, but his wife and his deputy attended after 3 years of assuming office. I am sure that there were no headlines about their absence from the program in their first two years as governor. Then, why is Adeleke's case, who has yet to celebrate one month in office, an issue? Why not wait until after his third year in office before calling him out?
So be it if the governor failed to attend the gathering to which he had been invited. A source said this and another source said that in the write up may not even be true.

Lamasta:
How does his absence affect the programme held @OP

Jesus or his disciples organized a program and Pontius Pilate was invited!

Is adeboye president that governors would be coming out to usher him into their state? Let him face the crusade he went for. Mistake his closeness kó. That how he deceived many nigerians that mistook his closeness with buhari as endorsement. A MOG that God dis not watn about the calamity about to befall naija