Oil Wells: Churches Deny Allegation Against Adeboye, Oyedepo, Kumuyi

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Living Faith Church Worldwide and Deeper Christian Life Ministry have responded to allegations that former President Olusegun Obasanjo allocated oil wells to their leaders during his administration.

The allegation was made by the founder and president of the Ministers’ Prayer Network, Reverend Mosy Madugba, in a sermon that circulated on social media.

Madugba alleged that Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the RCCG, Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church and Pastor William Kumuyi of Deeper Life were among prominent religious leaders who benefited from oil well allocations during Obasanjo’s presidency.

He also referred to their churches’ universities, hospitals and other institutions while making the claims.

However, representatives of the churches have questioned the allegations and demanded credible evidence.

A senior media aide to Kumuyi, who spoke anonymously to Sunday PUNCH, dismissed the claim as ridiculous, insisting that the cleric was devoted to preaching and had no interest in oil exploration or related business ventures.

The aide maintained that Kumuyi should not be associated with such commercial interests.

Similarly, Patrick Nkamiang, Director of Media at Living Faith Church Worldwide, rejected the allegation, arguing that oil wells were not personal properties that a president could distribute at will.

Nkamiang said Nigeria’s petroleum resources were governed by laws and regulations, questioning the basis of the claim that Obasanjo had allocated oil wells to individual pastors.

He also said Oyedepo maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards gifts and donations that could not be traced to legitimate personal or internally generated income.

The RCCG, meanwhile, declined to issue a detailed response until Madugba provides evidence to substantiate his allegation.

Efforts by the newspaper to obtain a response from Madugba’s church and Obasanjo’s media aide were unsuccessful as of the time of reporting.

No documentary evidence establishing that the former president allocated oil wells to the three religious leaders was presented in the circulating sermon.

The controversy has renewed public discussion about transparency, the ownership of Nigeria’s petroleum resources and the responsibility of individuals making serious allegations against public figures.