UK-based Nigerian reality star, Natasha Akide, popularly known as Tacha, has criticized Nigerian pastors, claiming that 90 percent of them would not be able to get away with their actions if they were operating outside Nigeria.
Her comments come in response to the recent controversy involving Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Senior Pastor of the House on the Rock Church, who was filmed in a confrontation with a car spotter.
In a video that went viral, Adefarasin was seen holding what appeared to be a pistol-like object while rebuking someone filming his car. The incident sparked public outrage, with many questioning the pastor's behavior.
Tacha Rejects Pastor's Explanation
Addressing the controversy in a video shared on her X handle, Tacha expressed frustration over what she described as gaslighting by the pastor, who had claimed that the object was not a firearm and that the car spotter had been aggressive.
"I didn't want to say anything about the church brouhaha that's going on until I saw clips from today's service. Because there's nothing I hate more than gaslighting. Everybody saw the video. We all saw the video. And from the video, we can tell who the aggressor was," Tacha stated.
She continued, "In case you have forgotten, this pastor stopped his car, wound down, held an object that looks like a firearm and told this boy, 'Don't do that, don't do that...' And from what I remembered, the boy was even hailing the pastor in that video."
Claims of Double Standards
The former Big Brother Naija contestant also criticized what she perceived as double standards in how the public reacts to similar incidents involving different personalities.
"Let's not even go far, if it was Seyi Tinubu or Wike or Wike's son that did this same thing, one part of Twitter would be burning by now and it will burn for one week. But because he is a pastor, some persons are making excuses for him," she argued.
Tacha also alleged that the same pastor had previously been involved in another incident where he reportedly smashed the windscreen of a bus that hit his car, putting passengers at risk.
"This is the same pastor who allegedly stepped out of his car last year to smash the windscreen of a bus that hit his car putting the passengers at risk. And yet wants to label the content creator as aggressive," she added.
As reported by BenriNews, Pastor Adefarasin had addressed the viral video during a church service, maintaining that the object seen in the footage was not a firearm and that he did not point it at anyone.
The controversy continues to generate discussion on social media about the conduct of religious leaders and accountability in Nigeria.
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