A suspended pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Ayorinde AdeBello, has denied the allegation of homosexuality levelled against him by the church.
He took to his Instagram page to react to the RCCG letter which announced his suspension because of alleged discussions he had with teenage boys of the church.
Ayorinde, who said the allegation first came up on GistLover’s blog and social media page, thought the blog was only trying to drive engagement, “In the past few days, some allegations were made against me and some others via a blog on social media known as Gist Lover,” he said.
He said he was advised to immediately react to the blog post since he was not the only one named , “and all of us may have been mentioned to drive engagement on the blog.”
Ayorinde, who is the founder of Ayo Global Services Limited, a private unlimited company registered in Nigeria, said he decided to speak out because people were already taking his silence for an admittance of guilt.
In a lengthy IG post, he said, “I have NEVER demanded for sex from any male as payment or gratification in order to give them assistance, platforms or positions. God is the only King Maker, the only One who can raise and erase kings, give positions and platforms.”
He said he had the discussion of a variety of topics in the WhatsApp group, including Bible studies, prayer meetings, academics, career choices, life skills, father-son and mother-son relationships.
“We have also discussed relationships with females, particularly on how to relate to and respect them, which the teenagers on the group especially the male National Teens Executives in the group can attest to.
“The instigators and accusers have used anonymity as their weapon of choice and struck from the shadows,” he alleged.
Reacting to the screenshot of a WhatsApp Group chat that was shared by GistLover blog, the now suspended pastor said, “The teenagers were taught about the right hygiene for reproductive health, the right kind of underwear to buy, and that the girth and length determines the underwear size.
“I also explained that their sizes should not affect their self-esteem and that they are perfectly and uniquely created by God.
He said he was heartbroken that his message was mischievously quoted out of context to portray him as someone who has ‘affairs’ with male teenagers.
Meanwhile RCCG management said he remains suspended till the committee investigating the allegations finds him innocent.