Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is reportedly a key supporter of Dr. D.K. Olukoya, the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), according to sources familiar with the church.
It is further alleged that Governor Sanwo-Olu is providing backing to Dr. Olukoya in his purported harassment of former church members who have disagreed with him and others deemed his adversaries.
Sources indicate that Governor Sanwo-Olu, a member of the church along with his family, has allegedly used his position to support Dr. Olukoya in his actions against perceived enemies. One source stated, "He is the one emboldening Olukoya to carry out these actions."
Governor Sanwo-Olu is an active member of MFM and regularly attends the church's monthly "Power Must Change Hands" program at the MFM Prayer City along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. After his re-election in 2023, Sanwo-Olu and his wife, who are part of the MFM Lagos Region 1, Lekki church, visited the MFM Prayer City to share their testimony of victory and express gratitude.
Governor Sanwo-Olu has often referred to Dr. Olukoya using affectionate terms like "Daddy," demonstrating their close relationship. For instance, during the dedication of the Glory Tabernacle at MFM Lekki YC Region 3 in February 2023, Sanwo-Olu referred to Olukoya as "my father in the Lord, the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire Ministries, Brother, Professor, Daddy, DK Olukoya." As a longtime supporter of MFM, Sanwo-Olu hosted the MFM female basketball team at the Lagos State House in October 2023, congratulating them on their victory in the Nigerian Zenith Bank Women Basketball League and assuring them of his continued support.
When contacted, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Governor, dismissed the allegations, stating that Sanwo-Olu was not aware of the cases. He said, "That doesn't make sense, people can be doing beer parlour talk that Governor Sanwo-Olu is giving him support because he is a governor, but that does not mean it's true."
Akosile added, "The governor doesn't even know anything about what you are talking about, even me, I don't know. The Governor has no business with meddling in the affairs of two people who are quarreling. If there is anything, the governor is a peacemaker. Instead of that, he will rather make peace."
Recently, Ayotunde Richards, a gospel singer and former MFM church member, was arrested and detained at Ikoyi Prison over alleged conspiracy to commit a felony and cyberstalking. Ayotunde, a former leader of the cleric’s backup singers, has been in and out of detention since last year. A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos State, granted bail to Ayotunde over a petition from Davidson Adejuwon, a lawyer and aide to Dr. Olukoya.
Ayotunde’s latest arrest and detention were over a suit filed by Opeyemi Emmanuel, a church member, who accused Ayotunde of conspiracy to commit a felony and cyberstalking. Ayotunde’s wife, Sholabomi, has also faced alleged persecution, with a court restraining the police from arresting, detaining, or prosecuting her following a petition by MFM representatives.
In another case, Adewale Ajimosogbe, a 23-year-old blogger, has been detained at Ikoyi Correctional Centre for three months over alleged cyberbullying and libel against Olukoya. He was arrested for republishing a story on Ayotunde Richards’ N15.5 billion naira fundamental human rights case against MFM founder Olukoya, Davidson Adejuwon, and the Nigeria Police.
In a separate incident, gospel singer Adebayo Bolanle went into hiding after receiving threats from Olukoya for allegedly calling him "Maradona." In a leaked phone conversation, Olukoya was heard threatening to initiate Bolanle's arrest for her comments.
Former MFM pastor Femi Jimoh accused the church of being behind his nine-year imprisonment for alleged armed robbery. Similarly, Caleb Oloruntele, a former usher, claimed Olukoya ordered the police to shoot him because he refused to give false testimony against another pastor.
These incidents highlight the ongoing tension and alleged persecution involving Dr. Olukoya and his perceived adversaries.
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