Like a bolt from the blues, snippets from the senior prophet, Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Genesis Global parish, Israel Oladele Ogundipe aka Genesis’ outburst surfaced and became viral during the week.

Although there have been a slew of rivalries in the Christian ministry over different issues or controversies, this latest drama between Ogundipe and Ajayi has further exposed the crack, and defied the biblical phrase: “touch not my anointed…”

Not many Nigerians, especially close watchers of Ogundipe, were surprised at his outburst given his controversial personality but his remarks caught the attention of many and provoked a flurry of reactions.

The cleric, a protégé of the founder, Love of Christ Generation Church C&S (Worldwide), Rev. Esther Ajayi, accused the latter of abandoning him and his family during his prison travails.

Ogundipe, speaking at a church gathering, bared his mind, all gloves off. Damning the repercussions, he lamented how he served Ajayi aka Iya Adura for several years in the celestial Church of Christ. He evidently felt betrayed.

He further referenced when Iya Adura as she’s fondly called, helped a young orange seller identified as Ayomide, how she helped the late Baba Suwe when he was sick, in contrast with how she ignored him through his travails despite having served her meritoriously.

Many people were shocked by his outburst and the matter became the toast of bloggers and gossip mills. While some of Ajayi’s loyalists were outraged at the outburst, others defended Ogundipe.

It will be recalled that Ogundipe was granted a ‘post-conviction bail’ by the Court of Appeal, last year, after he was convicted and sentenced to jail by a judge of the Lagos High Court, Olabisi Akinlade, for defrauding a London-based architect and converting her property for personal use.

Despite the hullabaloo generated by the case, Ogundipe’s church has continued to bloom unabated with the help of his wife and other dedicated members.

Ogundipe, in his clear and unambiguous remarks, indicated that Ajayi had severed all ties with him and removed pictures of him ministering with her from her social media platforms.

Adding a dramatic twist to the incident, gospel singer, Lanre Teriba Atorise slammed Ogundipe and threatened him in a now-deleted video if he failed to tender an unreserved apology to Ajayi.

Downplaying the whole incident and the backlash from Ogundipe, Ajayi said she is too busy to lose focus because of preparations for the 15th anniversary of her ministry in London and the one-year anniversary thanksgiving of her Lagos Cathedral.

Ajayi declared that Ogundipe remains a spiritual son and she bears no grudge against him regardless of the attack. “I am too pure for that. He is my son,” she said.

Notwithstanding, she’d have a hard time convincing the gallery of social media jury. (The Nation)

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