One week after the demise of founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations Prophet Temitope Joshua, influential pastors in Nigeria have continued to maintain silence over his death.
TB Joshua, as he was known, died on June 5 after a church programme in Lagos. The clergyman was rejected in the circle of top religious leaders in the country over his seemingly unorthodox methods.
Nigeria’s top Christian leaders who have not said a word publicly concerning Joshua’s death include general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; presiding bishop of the Living Faith Church, David Oyedepo; and general superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi.
Founder and senior pastor of Word of Life Bible Church Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor who was vocal about his criticism of Joshua during his tenure as president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria has also not spoken about the prophet’s death.
Other pastors who have kept mum include Sam Adeyemi, Funke Adejumo, Biodun Fatoyinbo, Mike Bamiloye, Paul Enenche, Matthew Ashimolowo and David Ibiyeomie.
During his lifetime, Joshua interacted more with Christian ministers outside the country than with local ones. Some of the foreign clerics were allowed to preach on his pulpit.
Celebrity publisher Dele Momodu who paid a condolence visit to Joshua’s widow Evelyn on Saturday, June 12, which happened to be Joshua’s 58th posthumous birthday, recalled there was a time Joshua wanted to relocate from Nigeria due to the treatment from other religious leaders.
Mr Momodu said he pleaded with Joshua not to move his ministry out of Nigeria for the sake of those who follow him.
