Former Kogi State Senator, Dino Melaye, has criticized the absence of Bishop David Abioye from Shiloh 2024, the annual event organized by Living Faith Church Worldwide.
Melaye, a prominent public commentator, took to social media to voice his concerns, implying that Bishop Abioye’s retirement, despite being a younger senior pastor, raises doubts 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.
Reports state that Shiloh, the annual convocation of the Winners Family worldwide, took place from December 10th to 15th, 2024.
In October, that the church’s two vice presidents, Abioye and Thomas Aremu, would retire after more than four and three decades of service.
Meanwhile, the church’s founder, Bishop David Oyedepo, had called on critics to refrain from questioning the church’s decisions concerning the retirement of its pastors.
The former senator’s comments have sparked renewed discussions about succession planning and leadership transitions within religious organizations.
During his Valedictory Service at the Living Faith Church, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan, in October, Aremu reflected on his journey since 1983 and expressed gratitude for the spiritual guidance he received from Bishop David Oyedepo, the church’s founder. He also explained why he would not establish a church after his retirement.
In November, Abioye shared on his X handle, #BishopDOAbioye, that he would announce his next steps on Monday, November 11.
While some online commentators share Melaye’s views, others argue that internal church matters should not be publicly criticized.
This situation has brought the leadership decisions of Living Faith Church, led by Oyedepo, into the spotlight, with many awaiting the church’s response to Melaye’s remarks.