According to NAN, the group called Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) made this call in a statement issued by the Executive Director of the Abuja-based human rights group, Mr Frank Tietie, on Tuesday. The group has urged Pastor Adeboye to rescind his ‘retirement’ decision or face legal consequences, News Agency Nigeria (NAN) reports.
The statement read: “CASER urges the highly revered Pastor Adeboye to change his mind and rescind his resignation as the General Overseer of RCCG.
“Where, therefore, the holy man of God refuses to review his decision to resign, CASER shall seek an order of court to compel him to remain as the general overseer.’’
The group however claimed it is acting in the interest of churches in general and not only in the interest of members of the RCCG who respect Pastor Adeboye.
As recalled that the popular Christian cleric stepped down as the General Overseer of the RCCG in Nigeria on Saturday, Janaury 7, citing the controversial Corporate Governance Code of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) as the basis for his retirement.
Although this code was suspended by the Federal Government on Monday stipulated a 20-year maximum tenure for heads of religious groups and civil rights organisations. Without the suspension, the regulation could have also lead to mass exodus of top pastors from the headship of their churches, the likes of: Bishop David Oyedepo (Living Faith Church Worldwide aka Winners’ Chapel); Pastor William Kumuyi (Deeper Christian Life Ministry) and Bishop Mike Okonkwo (The Redeemed Evangelical Mission).
Meanwhile, the corporate governance code issued by the country’s Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) which caused the exit of Pastor Enoch Adeboye as the national overseer Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has been suspended by the Nigerian government.