Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, a deputy continental overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in the United States and the younger brother of Pastor Folu Adeboye, has declared his intention to ascend the throne of Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland in Osun State.
The royal seat became vacant following the death of Oba Adekunle Aromolaran on September 12.
If successful, Adeyokunnu would become the second RCCG pastor in the US to be crowned a traditional ruler in Nigeria.
In a similar development last year, Ọba Ghandi Olaoye, a former pastor of RCCG Jesus House in Washington, was installed as the Soun of Ogbomoso in Oyo State. His coronation as the 28th Soun followed the approval of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
Adeyokunnu’s interest in the Ijesa throne has been shared with key figures in the RCCG including his in-law Pastor Enoch Adeboye who attended Adeyokunnu’s 70th birthday celebration in the US, reports Church Times.
Pastor Adeboye spoke fondly of Adeyokunnu at the birthday celebration, highlighting their decades-long relationship.
“I have known him before I got married to his sister and that is for about 60 years now,” Adeboye said. “He is the first friend I would have in the Adeyokunnu family apart from my wife. He was not a big man like this. He was like then the little Bayo. But we bonded together speedily. He also got born again under my ministry. I can still remember the sermon I preached that day titled ‘Come and Drink’ and he is still drinking till today.”
Toward the end of his remarks, Adeboye hinted at Adeyokunnu’s potential kingship, stating, “For your information, you don’t speak English in the presence of a monarch in our land because I am also from Ijesaland. So I will not pray in English for him because he is a prince and he may be the next king.”
According to close associates quoted by the platform, Adeyokunnu at 70 is preparing to retire from active ministry in the RCCG and sees kingship as a way to extend his service to his community.
He belongs to the Bilaro ruling house in Ijesaland and traces his royal lineage back to his great-great-grandfather, Kabiyesi Ofokutu I.
A product of Methodist Primary and High Schools in Ilesha, Adeyokunnu later attended the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) where he earned a degree in English Studies.
