The Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, COZA, Biodun Fatoyinbo, returned to the pulpit on Sunday to a rousing welcome from his congregation.
The controversial pastor made the comeback a month after he announced that he would be ‘taking a leave of absence from the pulpit of the church.’
Fatoyinbo’s sermon which was screened live on the church’s official Instagram page was not publicised on the days leading to Sunday.
The COZA senior pastor delivered a sermon titled ‘Sudden victories’ in a packed church auditorium amidst cheers and intermittent screams from his congregants.
The cleric has held Nigerian headlines since June when the interview of one of his alleged victims, Busola, wife of popular singer, Timi Dakolo, was made public.
On Sunday, he focused his sermon on the books of 1st Timothy 6:12; Mark 4:35-37 and 1st Corinthians 10:13.
Fatoyinbo, who was clad in a simple white kaftan, said it was written in the Bible that Christians would always face persecution, but God would ensure that they are victorious.
He said, “As a Christian, you must face opposition. If God, who is holy and faithful has enemies, you are sure going to have.”
The cleric said most times when faced with troubles, Christians have the tendency to call everyone except God for help.
He noted that the reason most Christians fail is that they address challenging circumstances on the surface, instead of addressing the root of the matter, which is the enemy and putting him in his place.
He also prophesied that his parishioners would witness victory in the new month of August.
The development comes just as a member of the church’s board, Obafemi Banigbe, resigned on July 19.
Banigbe, a telecom professional, tendered his resignation in a letter addressed to the Senior Pastor of the church.
Bamigbe resigned almost three weeks after the embattled pastor announced that he would be “taking a leave of absence from the pulpit of the church.”
At the time, Fatoyinbo said he took the decision after consulting with several spiritual leaders around the world and the leadership of COZA.
The controversial pastor has held Nigerian headlines since June when the interview of one of his alleged victims, Busola, wife of popular singer, Timi Dakolo was made public.
Mrs Dakolo revealed her ordeal in a YouTube interview with Chude Jideonwo published on June 28 on the channel, YNaija.
She alleged that the clergyman raped her in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital when she was 16.
Many Nigerians have asked that the police and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) investigate the case.
…Nigerians react
Nigerians have continued to react to the return of founder and senior pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo, to the pulpit, one month after he stepped down after being accused of rape.
Fatoyinbo stepped down in July after hundreds of protesters stormed the church’s headquarters in Abuja and its branch in Lagos.
On Sunday, the pastor delivered the sermon titled “Sudden Victories.”
Several Nigerians took to their twitter handle to react to Fatoyinbo’s return to the pulpit.
On his part, Murewa @the_murewa wrote; “If only every evil deed happening in this country receives the same attention as #COZA, America will be borrowing money from us now.”
“Pastor Biodun back on the altar. I hope the Same Pastors that advised he stepped down till issues raised were addressed will also speak out and explain this. Has he been cleared?,” Bosses Don’t Sleep @fk149 wrote.
Another social media commentator, wiseONE @wiseONE25454484, wrote; “My advice to #COZA Pastor: Beyond what people say or feel or tweet, you must know you are accountable to God. If these allegations are true, trying to muscle your way through it only fills the cup of retribution. Not because God is not merciful, but because the enemy seeks…”
On his part, MAYOR OF DANGBALA @Otarumoyor said, “Your Pastor is fake deal with it! Tell him to accept his wrongs and ask for forgiveness only then will he be forgiven. And he will still pay for his crimes okay? You don’t forgive people that didn’t ask for forgiveness. Immoral lots!#COZA”
I find it hard to believe that the #COZA Pastor mounted the pulpit and still had the church members cheering him on like a hero! ??
Religion proves itself again as the biggest brainwashing technique in Nigeria,” Peng Man @mjjuniormodel, wrote.
