St. David Anglican Church, Ibulesoro, in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, was at the center of a dramatic standoff on Palm Sunday as congregants barred the presiding cleric, Venerable Adebanjo, from leading service over allegations of high-handedness and financial impropriety.
Angry members—men, women, and youths—locked the church building and its gates, demanding the immediate removal of the cleric.
“We are not fighting God or the Church,” one member said. “But we no longer accept his leadership. He should not preside over our services again.”
The tension had been building for weeks, with congregants accusing Venerable Adebanjo of sidelining church elders in financial decisions. A senior member alleged, “He awards contracts without consulting the elders and demands a portion of the funds back. This is unacceptable to us.”
Members also raised concerns over verbal abuse and spiritual intimidation from the pulpit. “He mocks the community, calling us ‘light’ and of no value, and curses members of his own church. We cannot continue like this,” said another congregant.
Youth members expressed particular frustration, claiming they were insulted during sermons. “He repeatedly calls us ‘Yahoo boys,’ which has discouraged many youths from attending church,” one youth leader revealed. They also highlighted disruptions to church activities, including the cancellation of the annual harvest in 2025, which the cleric reportedly labeled as offerings from “fraudsters and ritualists.”
Attempts to resolve the matter through the Bishop have so far been unsuccessful. “We informed the Bishop and requested redeployment. He visited but has not taken action. We even settled all the cleric’s entitlements, yet nothing changed,” said a church elder.
The congregation has vowed to keep the church closed until their concerns are addressed. “If the Bishop is willing to redeploy him, let it happen. Otherwise, we will not reopen the church,” a member declared.
Despite the standoff, protesters emphasized that their demonstration remained peaceful, aimed at restoring dignity and proper governance within the church.
