The Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja was a shadow of itself on Sunday during the Sunday service as many members of the church did not show up.
It was observed that the chapel was sparsely filled as the service, which usually ended around 1pm, was brought to a close at 11.30am.
The Punch observed that of the 30 church members that were supposed to be part of the birthday thanksgiving service for the month of May, only nine were present.
From prayer session led by the Chaplain, Very Rev. Ayo Oyadotun, to the choir ministration, the general theme was overcoming difficult times and fighting forces seeking to scatter the church.
Recall that the Presiding Chaplain, Venerable Femi Taiwo, was sacked by the Governing Council of the church allegedly on the orders of the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.
Taiwo was said to have been sacked for “disrespecting” Ambode’s wife, Bolanle.
Mrs. Ambode was said to have attended the chapel on Sunday, May 14, for an anointing service.
She was reported to have stormed out of the church for not being recognised by the chaplain during the service.
By 1pm the following day, Pastor Taiwo was sacked and issued a 24-hour ultimatum to vacate the vicarage with his wife and kids.
The government asked his assistant, Oyadotun to take over the mantle of leadership of the church.
Many Nigerians expressed disappointment at the action of Ambode, asking him to call his wife to order and rescind the decision.
On Saturday, the Lagos State Government, due to the backlash that trailed the report, shifted the thanksgiving service for the Lagos@50 celebration from the chapel to the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Alausa.
In an interview with The Punch, Taiwo’s bishop at the African Church, Rt. Rev. Michael Adeyemi said the church was embarrassed by the action of the Lagos first family.
He noted that Bolanle’s action, in particular, was ungodly and sacrilegious, adding that she must apologise for disrespecting a minister of God due to her ego.
It was gathered that the governing council and the church’s committee had been under pressure from the state government to manage the issue of the pastor’s sack.
When contacted, the Chairman of CAN, Lagos State, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, and CAN’s Secretary, Israel Akinadewo, declined comments over the incident.
“I have no comment, my son,” Bamgbola said.
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