Shiloh 2024: Dino Melaye questions Bishop Abioye’s retirement

The absence of Bishops David Abioye and Thomas Aremu at the recently concluded Shiloh 2024 has continued to stir emotions among worshippers and observers, with notable personalities weighing in on the matter.

Senator Dino Melaye, former senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, and a prominent Nigerian politician, has added his voice to the conversation, questioning the circumstances surrounding Bishop Abioye’s retirement.

In a statement shared on all his social media, Melaye expressed his discontent with the leadership transitions within the Living Faith Church Worldwide, particularly at the Shiloh event themed Ever Winning Wisdom. He wrote:

“I did not attend Shiloh 2024. Because Shiloh without Bishop Abioye is somehow. I can’t understand why Bishop Oyedepo, who is older, is not retired, and it is Bishop Abioye who is younger that should be forcefully retired. God did not retire Abioye, only Oyedepo did. Let’s watch…”

https://x.com/_dinomelaye/status/1868308116191981934?t=VphmPuzazjujN44TT5e9Lw&s=19

Melaye’s comments have amplified current confusion among church members and social media users, many of whom have questioned the leadership decisions that led to the retirement of Bishops Abioye and Aremu earlier this year. The two were pivotal figures in the church’s administration, serving as Vice Presidents of the Liberation Mandate and playing key roles in the growth of the ministry alongside its founder, Bishop David Oyedepo.

The church had announced their retirement in October 2024, marking a significant shift in its leadership structure. However, their absence from Shiloh 2024, an event they had consistently graced since its inception in 1999, left a void for many attendees.

While some members have defended the leadership’s decision, citing the need for generational transitions, others, like Melaye, have openly criticized the move. Many social media users echoed Melaye’s sentiments, questioning why Bishop Oyedepo, the older of the three, remains actively involved while younger leaders like Bishop Abioye are seemingly compelled to step aside.

Despite wrapping up Shiloh 2024 yesterday, the spotlight still remains on Bishop Oyedepo and the leadership of Living Faith Church Worldwide. For many, the legacies of Bishops Abioye and Aremu will endure, even as the church navigates its evolving identity.