– The presiding chaplain of the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Lagos state was reportedly removed on the orders of Governor Ambode
– There have been conflicting reports as to the reason for his removal from office
– It has been revealed that the former chaplain did have some kind of quarrel with the first lady of Lagos state
On May 26, 2017, ZENITHBLOG.com reported that 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.
While it is still not clear yet why he was removed, media reports suggest that Mr Taiwo’s removal came after his actions during an anointing service on May 14 angered the Lagos state governor’s wife, Bolanle Ambode, who was in attendance.
Pastor Femi Taiwo has reportedly received offers for housing following the incident
The reports said Mrs Ambode waited endlessly as she joined a queue to be anointed without any preference accorded her; and that she left the church in anger after been anointed.
Femi Taiwo, was ordered out of his official quarters within 24 hours of receiving the letter on May 15.
However, Premium Times reports that there are more untold reasons for his removal.
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According to a source: “The point is that he (Mr. Taiwo) disregarded rules to go and meet the First Lady without authorisation, out of selfish interest.”
In February 2017, Mr Taiwo reportedly visited Mrs Ambode without the knowledge of the church’s Governing Council; but he allegedly lied to the governor’s wife that he was sent by the Council.
At the meeting: “He told the First Lady that the small church inside the State House should be reporting to him. And that he would withdraw some of the staff if his demands were not granted, almost threatening the First Lady,” one official said.
Mrs Ambode contacted the church’s Governing Council to complain and according to the source: “The council was shocked that Mr Taiwo, a supposed man of God, could lie and misrepresent himself to the First Lady, and immediately queried the clergyman, demanding explanation.”
A query signed by Gbenga Solomon, a Reverend Canon and the Governing Council Chairman said:
“It came to the notice of the Governing Council of Chapel of Christ the Light that you requested and held a meeting with Her Excellency on 27th February, 2017, claiming that the Governing Council mandated you to do so.
“Please, note that your action was at your behest and not the Governing Council. We learnt that you went with a copy of the constitution, explaining the content to her.
“Kindly recall that an emergency meeting was summoned on Wednesday, 1st March 2017, where you claimed that you never mentioned to Her Excellency that Governing Council mandated you. In order not to put the Governing Council in disrepute, respond in writing your position on same.”
In response on March 10, the offending chaplain wrote a letter of apology addressed to Mrs. Ambode stating that the purpose of his visit was not to undermine the First Lady or her office.
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He said: “I write to tender a sincere apology to you on the matter surrounding our visit to Your Excellency recently.
“In honesty, I have high regard for you and see you as mother to all. Your effort in building the Chapel and the State in general is highly appreciated and we pray God to continue to strengthen you the more.
“I am very sorry for any embarrassment our visit might have caused you and I plead you find a place in your heart to forgive.”
However he reportedly remained hostile to the first lady which culminated in his removal
Another official said: “ He remained perpectually angry because another person was made a Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters and assumed wrongly that as the chaplain, it was his duty to play such roles and to act as the spiritual father to the First Family.”
“He was consistently pestering the First Lady with a litany of requests, and was repeatedly advised by the Governing Council. But he does not appear to have any respect for constituted authorities as advised by the Bible.”
Steve Ayorinde, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, declined to comment on the pastor’s removal, saying: “We don’t want to engage anyone on this matter.
“The former chaplain was queried a number of times in the past for conduct unbecoming of his office.
“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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Meanwhile, Taiwo, has refused to comment on the matter. He said:Taiwo, has refused to comment 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 a newspaper.”
Watch a ZENITHBLOG.com video on Ambode’s governance so far and what Nigerians have to say:
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