The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has sparked speculation that his brother-in-law, Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu, might become the next Owa of Obokun in Ijeshaland, Osun State. This royal title has been vacant since the passing of Oba Adekunle Aromolaran on September 12, 2024.
Pastor Adeboye made the remark during Adeyokunnu’s 70th birthday celebration, which took place at the RCCG Victory Temple in Bowie, Maryland, on October 16, 2024. During the event, Pastor Adeboye hinted at a potential royal future for Adeyokunnu, who serves as a Deputy Continental Overseer of RCCG in the United States.
“Like you have been told, he is a prince. You might think we are joking, but God might take your joke seriously, and your pastor may end up becoming the next king.
“I am also from Ijeshaland, and in our tradition, we don’t speak English before the royal highness, so I will pray for him in English,” Adeboye said.
He fondly recalled their 60-year relationship, describing Adeyokunnu as a prayer warrior and a committed Christian who had been born again under his ministry.
“I have known him before I married his sister, and that has been about 60 years now. He is the first friend I had in the Adeyokunnu family apart from my wife. He wasn’t a big man then, just the little Bayo, but we bonded quickly.
“He got born again under my ministry. I can still remember the sermon I preached that day, titled ‘Come and Drink.’ He is still drinking till today. Every opportunity he had, he would want to get a little more. He is a warrior. He can pray anything out of you,” he stated.
If Adeyokunnu ascends the throne, he would join the ranks of prominent RCCG pastors who have embraced traditional leadership. This includes Oba Ghandi Oláoyè, another RCCG pastor, who was crowned Soun of Ogbomoso in Oyo State in 2023.
