A years-old sermon by controversial Nigerian cleric Pastor Chris Okafor has resurfaced and gone viral, striking a bitterly ironic chord following actress Doris Ogala's public accusations of a secret affair with the pastor. The juxtaposition of his stern teachings on female submission with the explosive personal scandal has ignited a firestorm of criticism and debate online.
The resurfaced clip shows Okafor, the founder of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministry, delivering a pointed message to women. "No man wants to marry a woman who is not submissive," he declared from the pulpit, framing submission as the non-negotiable foundation for marriage. "Which man wan marry who no well?" he asked his congregation, using Nigerian Pidgin to drive home his point that a woman's value in marriage hinges on her obedience and demeanor.
The sermon, originally from 2022, did not mince words. Okafor advised single women to cultivate "the capacity to become a wife," warning them against traits he deemed undesirable, including arrogance and promiscuity.
A Sermon Weaponized in the Court of Public Opinion
The clip's sudden virality is directly linked to the ongoing drama with Nollywood actress Doris Ogala. Days ago, Ogala posted emotional videos online, making shocking allegations against the pastor. She claimed she had a years-long intimate relationship with him, which led her to leave her husband. She accused Okafor of betrayal after a video surfaced showing his engagement to another woman, alleging he had shared her private photos and abandoned her after derailing her life.
The re-emergence of his sermon on "unmarriageable" women has been viewed by many netizens as a catastrophic own goal. Social media platforms have been flooded with reactions mocking the perceived hypocrisy.
* Direct Irony: Many users pointed out the stark contradiction. "He is preaching about submissive women but behind the scenes, he is the one behaving badly," one comment read. Others noted that by the standards of his own sermon—which implicitly judges a woman's character—his alleged conduct would make him "unmarriageable."
* A "Veiled Dig"?: Some speculate the original sermon itself might have been a subtle message aimed at Ogala during their alleged relationship, making its resurgence even more loaded.
* Questioning Moral Authority: The dominant sentiment online has been a severe critique of Okafor's moral standing. "Who is he to give marriage advice?" asked one viral post, a sentiment echoed by thousands who see the scandal as hollowing out his spiritual authority.
Deepening the Controversy: A Pattern of Scandal
For Pastor Chris Okafor, this is not his first public controversy, adding layers to the public's skeptical reception:
* 2021 Arrest in London: Okafor was arrested by UK police on suspicion of fraud and money laundering. He was accused of pressuring a vulnerable, sick woman to sell her home and hand over the £170,000 proceeds to his church. While he denied the charges and was released under investigation, the case severely damaged his international reputation.
* The "Ghana Must Go" Bag Prophecy: In 2023, a video from his church showed him praying over a member with a bulging "Ghana Must Go" travel bag, loudly declaring that God would "fill it with money." The spectacle was widely criticized on social media as a crass example of the prosperity gospel's excesses.
* A History of Confrontation: This recent episode follows another high-profile clash in 2023, where he publicly criticized fellow pastor Paul Enenche for his treatment of a church member, showcasing his tendency for public disputes.
A Broader Cultural Reckoning
The "Okafor-Ogala saga" has transcended celebrity gossip to become a focal point for larger conversations in Nigeria. It taps into ongoing debates about:
* The perceived hypocrisy of some spiritual leaders.
* The power dynamics and accountability within megachurches.
* The societal scrutiny of women's behavior versus men's in scandals.
Pastor Chris Okafor has yet to issue a direct public response to Doris Ogala's specific allegations or the trending sermon. His silence, however, is being drowned out by the loud and critical verdict from the court of public opinion, which currently finds the contrast between his preaching and his alleged private life too stark to ignore.
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