Biodun Fatoyinbo, the senior pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), says he has decided to step aside from the pulpit of the church.

Fatoyinbo announced this in a statement released on Monday where he said the move was as a result of the advice from  his mentors.

The statement read, “the past few days have been very sobering for me. I have taken time to pray and seek spiritual counsel from Christian leaders around the world who feel very concerned about the ongoing reports in the media”.

“I have solicited their advice on actions I should take that are honouring to our Lord Jesus Christ and the work he has called me to do”.

“Drawing from their counsel and that of the leadership of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly and owing to my love for God and the sacred nature of my calling, I have decided to take a leave of absence from the pulpit of the church.”

“This step enables me to submit to the concerns of my spiritual methods as they consider all the issues that have been raised against me. My confidence in the Lord remains unwavering.”

“Though I do not understand what is happening, I trust the Lord to lead and guide me one step at a time”.

“Kindly pray for me and the congregation of COZA as we seek the face of God during these turbulent times,” Fatoyinbo wrote.

Consistent calls had been made for Fatoyinbo to resign following the allegations by Busola Dakolo that he raped her as a teenager.

The calls trended online with the tags #PastorStepDown and #NotMyChurch and culminated into peaceful protests at COZA branches in Lagos and Abuja. (NAN)