The Lagos state governor Akinwumi Ambode has allegedly ordered the removal of the Chaplain of the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa Femi Taiwo
- Taiwo received his sack letter without a query or official reason after the governor directed the Governing Council of the chapel to remove him
- His sack letter ordered the assistant chaplain Very Reverend Ayo Oyadotun to take his position with immediate effect.
The Lagos state governor Akinwumi Ambode has allegedly ordered the removal of the Chaplain of the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa Femi Taiwo, Punch reports.
Taiwo received his sack letter without a query or official reason after the governor directed the Governing Council of the chapel to remove him.
Taiwo was also shown the exit of his official resident were he lived with his wife and two children despite pleas from leaders in the chapel to save him.
The chaplain's ordeal began after he angered the wife of the governor and first lady of the state Bolanle Ambode on Sunday, May 14, when she visited the church for an anointing service.
The church which is domiciled under the state's ministry of home affairs is supervised by the office of the first lady.
Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, was present with her entourage. When it was time to be anointed, the cleric asked people to come forward; that it was optional.
While the service began, sources said the chaplain failed give recognition to Bolanle.
She however, moved towards the alter to receive her our portion of the anointing but later stormed out of the church .
Taiwo was sacked the next day - Monday, May 15 - and his sack letter ordered the assistant chaplain Very Reverend Ayo Oyadotun to take his position with immediate effect.
A witness who was at the anointing service said: “The church had declared seven-day fasting after we lost two prominent members. The Sunday service, which was declared as anointing service, was supposed to end the fasting."
“Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, was present with her entourage. When it was time to be anointed, the cleric asked people to come forward; that it was optional.
“Three people stood at the stage to anoint people. They included the chaplain, the presiding chaplain and one other person," the witness said.
“People started stepping out one after another. The governor’s wife, after some time, also stepped out, was anointed.
“As she stepped out, it was obvious that she was angry. The president of the women’s fellowship and the pastor’s wife went after her. She shunned them, entered her car and zoomed off.
“When we came to the church on Tuesday, we heard that Venerable Taiwo had been sacked because the governor’s wife didn’t get the anointing oil first and she felt disrespected. The man that signed the letter is a civil servant”.
However, Taiwo, has refused to speak on the matter.
He said: “One thing I can say is that I have tried as a pastor to live above board. It will not be right engaging the church or the government on the pages of the media."
But the state's commissioner for information Steve Ayorinde said Taiwo had been queried various times before now for misconducts.
Ayorinde said: “The culmination of various indiscretions led to the Governing Council of the church issuing yet another query that led to his being relieved of his post.
“This has got nothing to do with the First Lady. The Chaplain is looking for an excuse to cover his insouciance. It’s nothing but cheap blackmail.”
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