The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Living Faith Church Worldwide and Deeper Christian Life Ministry have rejected allegations that former President Olusegun Obasanjo allocated oil wells to their leaders during his administration.
The allegation was made by the founder of the Ministers’ Prayer Network, Rev. Mosy Madugba, who claimed in a sermon circulating on social media that the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; Living Faith Church founder, Bishop David Oyedepo; and General Superintendent of Deeper Life, Pastor William Kumuyi, were beneficiaries of the alleged allocations.
Madugba had claimed that the prominent clerics owned oil wells in addition to their religious institutions, universities and other establishments. The allegation triggered reactions online, with some Nigerians demanding evidence to support the claim.
However, a senior media aide to Kumuyi, who spoke anonymously, described the allegation as ridiculous, insisting that the cleric had no interest in oil exploration or related business activities.
He said, "Pastor Kumuyi is devoted to the work of God. His focus is on preaching the gospel, winning souls and preparing people for heaven. Linking him to an oil well because somebody made such a claim is ridiculous."
Similarly, the Director of Media at Living Faith Church Worldwide, Patrick Nkamiang, faulted the allegation, arguing that oil wells were national resources regulated by law and could not be treated as personal assets of a president for distribution to individuals. He also said Oyedepo maintained a zero-tolerance stance towards questionable gifts and donations.
Nkamiang said, "Oil wells do not belong to Obasanjo for him to distribute as he wishes. They are natural resources governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You cannot just give them away arbitrarily." He added that the church was unlikely to pursue legal action against Madugba, preferring to leave the matter to God.
Meanwhile, an official of RCCG's media unit said the church would not respond substantively to the allegation until the cleric provided evidence to support his claim.
Efforts to obtain Madugba's reaction through an official identified as Blessing Madugba were unsuccessful, while attempts to reach Obasanjo through his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, also yielded no response.
No documentary evidence was presented in the circulating video to establish that the former president allocated oil wells to the three pastors.
