REPLACING THE PASTOR’S BADGE WITH THE PALACE BEADS: Matters Arising

Years ago the fact that the person is a pastor in a church goes with respect and many sees him as a representative of God the creator of the universe. While the Catholic Church referred to their own as priests, the Baptist, Anglican, Methodist and others call their own pastors which are later elevated to revered. This was the period when pastors hardly appear in court because Judges sees them as witness of truth and nothing less. For years many pastors and general overseas as the later Pentecostal founders were known sees the palace as the place that is not in line with the doctrine of the bible when it comes to some practices being observed by the occupant and his traditional chiefs. In the sixties, seventies and eighties the number of pastors dropping the bible and wearing the beads are not common. The reason being that the entire palace then was regarded and a place meant for serving idol and offering sacrifices to the ancestors. Also government recognition was lacking during this period and as such traditional rulers have to fend for themselves. During this period too pastors and priests are not well paid but those wearing the badges with the name hardly complain because they are call to serve.

However, things have changed especially for the traditional institutions to the extent that once a chieftaincy title holder such person either man or woman is seen to be representing the palace. Also the welfare of men preaching the gospel has also changed too. The question now is should pastors or priests abandon the bible to head to the palace? Several Nigerian pastors have transitioned from leading churches to becoming traditional rulers (monarchs). This trend, often referred to as “the pulpit meeting the throne” sees these leaders combining spiritual guidance with cultural leadership. Let’s see notable names of some of them here. Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) who became the Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of the Yewa-Awori area in Ogun State in 2012. Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye a former RCCG pastor (Jesus House, Washington DC) who was installed as the Soun of Ogbomoso in Oyo State. Oba Gabriel Ayodele Adejuwon a pastor of the RCCG who was appointed the17th Onisan of Isan-Ekiti some years ago.

Others are Oba Matthew Durojaye Jegede a pastor with the Deeper Life Bible Church who was crowned the first Alahan of Ahan Ayegunle Ekiti State in 2020. HRH John Elaigwu Odogbo a Deeper Life Bible Church pastor who was crowned the Och’Idoma V, the paramount ruler of the Idoma people in Benue State in 2021. Pastor Kingsley Innocent a General Overseer of Talknado Ministries (Bible Believing Mission) in Aba, who was crowned the traditional ruler of Okwuabala Community in Imo State. Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, founder of Omega Power Ministry (OPM), who was inaugurated as the traditional ruler of Ikwu Orie Ohanku Ndoki Autonomous Community in Abia State. These individuals often argue that the roles of a pastor and a king are similar, as both involve shepherding, leadership, and caring for the welfare of the people. One thing some person kicked against about the pastors going for chieftaincy titles and palace heads is that they were found of preaching against monogamy when they were pastors but how can they sustained this during the journey in the palace have been a subject of debate all over the country when the issue is placed on the table.

It is a fact that in this country I have come across many traditional rulers and chieftaincy title holders in the place of worship and this is contrary to the belief of the people that once you fall into these categories the church house is no longer for them. These group of persons have contributed and still contributing to the development of the society. Being among these group does not prevent them from serving their creators like others. In most palace today Christmas carol and other Christian and Moslem activities have come to stay. The quest to sanitize perceived ills in governance and traditional institutions in Nigeria has witnessed the emergence of clergymen into some positions of authority, widely believed in the past to be exclusively for politicians and traditionalists. Positions such as traditional stools or political offices were usually left for people other than religious clerics to man. In Nigeria, clergies are leaving the pulpit to mount royal thrones, as well as taking up elective political offices and more will still come on board. Joseph Esivwenughwu is the former Chairman of Okuetolor Community Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State Nigeria