When Pastors Become Unbelievers – Deji Adeyanju
When Pastors Become Unbelievers – Deji Adeyanju
Pastor David Ibiyeomie’s recent outburst, threatening to arrest and imprison anyone who criticizes or misquotes him, has gone viral for all the wrong reasons. Beyond its arrogance, it reveals the slow but steady slide of religious power into authoritarian territory. When pastors begin to act like tyrants, wielding the threat of force against mere opinion, we must as if they have stopped believing in the God who gave us free will.
What Pastor David has said is not just offensive, it is an attack on freedom of expression, which is one of the most essential pillars of any free society. It is not enough to preach the gospel of peace and humility on the pulpit, only to turn around and threaten critics with the police. When pastors stop believing in the ideals that should define leadership:compassion, tolerance, and truth, they become mere strongmen covered in robes of righteousness.
Consider the recent exchange between Donald Trump and Elon Musk in the United States of America. Both men criticized each other publicly, without fear of police interference. That’s what freedom of speech looks like in practice. This is the beauty of democracy, where power is restrained by principle. If such a fight had taken place in Nigeria, it is likely that one of them would have been silenced using force.
Nations must be built on ideals, not strong men and powerful pastors. When individuals are placed above institutions, they create systems where power goes unchecked and accountability disappears. It does not matter whether that power comes from a political office or a pulpit; once it becomes untouchable, it becomes dangerous. Real progress happens when nations are guided by principles such as justice, equality, and freedom of expression, not by the personal feelings or egos of influential figures. Leaders should serve the law, not bend it to silence critics.
