Meanwhile, a separate controversy has unfolded in Nigeria’s religious space following calls for popular cleric Pastor Chris Okafor to temporarily step away from the pulpit. The calls, which emerged amid unspecified allegations and internal church concerns, have triggered fierce debate among Christians and social media users.
A particularly viral reaction came from a netizen who questioned the biblical justification for such demands, asking: “Where did you see that in the Bible? Did David in the Bible step aside?” The comment has since been widely shared, symbolising the broader argument dividing public opinion.
Those calling for Pastor Okafor to step aside argue that spiritual leaders should be held to high ethical standards and that stepping away, even temporarily, could allow for transparency and accountability. They insist that religious institutions should not be above scrutiny.
Opposing voices, however, view the calls as unfair, selective, and unbiblical. They argue that many biblical figures faced controversy without abandoning their divine assignments and caution against what they describe as “trial by social media.”
So far, Pastor Okafor has not issued a detailed public statement directly addressing the calls. The debate continues to raise larger questions about leadership, accountability, and the influence of public opinion on religious institutions in modern Nigeria.
