A Nigerian pastor has issued a stark warning about the visible strain in the relationship between two prominent figures in the Nigerian church, calling for immediate intervention from the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).
A Template of Loyalty Now Under Threat
Pastor Isaiah Keneze Eze took to his Facebook page to express deep concern over the evolving dynamic between Bishop David Oyedepo, General Overseer of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, and his former vice president, Bishop David Abioye. For 44 years, the duo served together, becoming a widely cited example of covenant loyalty and steadfast partnership in Nigerian Pentecostal circles.
Eze highlighted that this relationship was more than just a story; it was a living template taught in Bible schools and leadership seminars. It served as proof that servitude, faithfulness, and long-term commitment to a vision were still viable and honoured paths in ministry.
The Unsettling Pattern and Public Absences
The pastor pointed to a series of events that have collectively shaken this powerful image. He referenced an incident years ago where the late Dr. Myles Munroe advised Bishop Abioye to start his own ministry, a matter that reportedly reached Bishop Oyedepo and led to Munroe's absence from the church's programs.
He also recalled Bishop Oyedepo's public statement during the 2012 Shiloh event, declaring that Abioye was "free to go" anytime. Another significant moment was when Bishop David Oyedepo Jr. was sent to Abuja, where Abioye was pastoring, only to be withdrawn after stating he could not replace someone he saw as a father.
The most recent and visible sign of the rift, according to Eze, is Bishop Abioye's consecutive absence from the church's annual Shiloh program. Shiloh 2025, held at the church's headquarters in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, was the second such event since Abioye's retirement after 44 years of service. His non-attendance has sparked widespread discussion and concern among observers.
A Plea for PFN Intervention to Heal the Breach
Pastor Eze's central argument is that this situation transcends personal disagreement and poses a fundamental threat to the value of loyalty in ministry. He fears that if a man who dedicated over four decades of his life can be "quietly disconnected," it sends a dangerous message to upcoming generations of pastors and church workers.
"If this pattern stands unaddressed, what message are we sending to the next generation of pastors?" Eze asked. He warned that associate pastors would learn survival tactics over covenant loyalty, and ministry would risk becoming merely a stepping stone rather than a lifelong commitment.
He is therefore calling on the fathers of faith within the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) to step in. He urges them to mediate, facilitate a proper closure or reconciliation, and heal the breach publicly. "This connection properly managed matters. Closure matters. Public reconciliation matters," he wrote.
Eze concluded with a sobering reminder that Nigeria and Africa are watching, and what happens between these two leaders could become a template copied elsewhere in the Christian community. His appeal is for wisdom and unity to speak louder than the current silence surrounding the issue.
