Thursday, 17 May 2012
Bishop Oyedepo: The Slap Seen Around The World By Sonala Olumhense
Pastor David Oyedepo
Columnist:
Sonala Olumhense Until this week, I had never seen Bishop Oyedepo on video. Like everyone else, I now carry the haunting image of the slap the good Bishop administered on a young worshipper during a televised service.
My first comment is that Mr. Oyedepo is not a very good slapper, although he may have had some practice at home. Perhaps members of his family should turn the other cheek to enable him practice more. Look closely at the footage, for a considerable while before the slapping, his mind was made up that the girl before him was worthless.
You can see the contempt clearly outlined on the face of The Holy Man. That contempt was not only for the alleged witch, but for whoever had permitted the creature to come within breathing distance of his Holiness, including the layers of pastors in a security ring around him.
It seems Mr. Oyedepo might have been content simply to shove her far across the country with just one of his gleaming shoes, and have someone deport her far from his consciousness, but on one condition.
But let us be fair to him: the video does start abruptly. There clearly was some kind of altercation ahead of the footage.
We hear the Bishop asking: “You’ve been there for how long?”
But she rebuts: “I’m not a witch…my own witch is for Jesus.”
The right answer, in the mind of the Holy Man, the only answer permissible—indeed the only condition for the girl to have regained his estimation as a human being—was obviously this one:
“Yes Sir, I am a witch!”
Had she offered that answer, the Rich Man of God would most likely have extended his microphone to her mouth, and for the benefit of his video production team and Planets Earth, Heaven, and assorted civilizations in between, said only one more word:
“Louder!”
“Louder!!”
“Louder!!!”
But—holy of holies—the young lady contradicted the expectations of His Sinlessness and said something completely outside the script.
And you knew, the moment she uttered the “sacrilege” right in front of His Excellency, that there was going to be (no pun suggested) hell right here on earth. But remember, the Pastor is also something of an actor. A man does not don a Savile Row suit and splash on his make-up in readiness for that American-style production crew and not know a thing or two about acting.
And so Oga Bishop reset the scene, giving the skinny idiot the chance to recant…to remember the script, to claim Hell so he could claim to serve Heaven…to say the words he desired so that he could pronounce his own mighty lines and move on to the next sinner.
She did not. Something was wrong. She had probably not been fully debriefed. She was probably in the bathroom in the moments before airtime, a nervous wreck trying to empty her bladder as the production crew hustled and bustled and the director fired final instructions.
“When did you join witchcraft?”
I have to believe that the young lady had watched The Flawless Man on television somewhere, and that she had a certain feel for his heart and his height. But television, even as large as it has become in the PHCN era, is aby format a lie. Reality TV does not really tell you a pot of okro about a superstar, especially a larger-than-life, limousine-riding, jet-flying global Pastor who may be too important to remember that all have sinned, and fallen. No television-watching can prepare anyone for the menace of the arrogance of such a person or the quality of his breath at close quarters.
In other words, I have no idea what the admixture of emotions in the head of that young girl must have been. But she was the only one with access, at that moment, to the glint in his eyes, something she may have mistaken to be a radiation of the love of Christ.
“When did you join witchcraft?”
At that point, she may have thought that The Holy One had not heard her response the first time. It is a cavernous edifice, that church. She may have thought that the giant who towered so far above her he could touch the roof if he wished; the Giant of the Gospel who was blessed with such wisdom and understanding he might have been Solomon in another lifetime, would ask her what she meant, thus permitting share her to share her experience.
And so, gathering the breath in her lungs, she repeated. “I am not a witch. But I am a witch for Christ.”
Now that I think about it, Mr. Oyedepo’s first expression of his anger may have been to elevate a boatload of spittle loaded with bile and brimstone in the direction of the young lady to sweep her out and away into the wind and the Atlantic Ocean. He had probably done that in the past and wound up bathing the innocent. Or he may have considered a punch: a short, quick jab that would have knocked her teeth down into her stomach.
But a jab is not very dramatic. Blink and you miss it. Only an uppercut would have transmitted the appropriate message. When a true uppercut is thrown by someone trained to do so, it freezes the victim, and then folds him away, and out. But in Nollywood and its precincts such as Nigerian televangelism, sound is perhaps even more important than action, and an uppercut, with or without a glove, cannot transmit the desired authoritativeness and explosiveness.
And so Oga Bishop unloaded what will forever be his signature moment, The Slap Seen Round The World.
As I have said, I do not think he is a very good slapper. He did not slap to correct or change; he slapped to express his frustration and to humiliate a “witch” who was refusing to admit it. The effrontery to deny the Holy Man his moment in the lights!.
Not once did Oyedepo ask her what she—obviously someone of little education—meant. Perhaps the Big Man was concerned she might say something for which he lacked the expertise or the appropriate script.
Clearly, while Oyedepo would have been comfortable with her “confession,” he seemed to have been afraid to confront anything more complicated, including listening to how she may have conceivably used her “witchcraft” to serve God. “You are not set for deliverance,” he said in dismissal, “and you are free to go to hell!”
As a result, the young girl was not exposed as being anything more than confused. In effect, Oyedepo’s response to “evil” was a slap to assuage his own emotions; it was not a battle against it to earn victory, the “devil” did not seem shamed let alone defeated.
If anything, Oyedepo’s weaknesses, including the quality of his arrogance, were exposed; arrogance emphasized in a later video in which he brags about his being slap-happy in public. It is a surprise the Bishop has not had the little “witch” burnt at the stake.
It is Nigeria, of course, where it does not take much effort to assault the weak and the vulnerable, for that is what a young girl kneeling in front of him at that service really was. It explains why Nigerians live in hell as a people because when political power is available, it is used not for governance, but for self-magnification. Most of those who ride private jets like the Bishop are practicing thieves who prey on the poor and the uneducated. And curiously, these men of power and privilege are often supported by men of “faith” who confer credibility on them.
For me, the future is clear: only when I find a video of Oyedepo slapping the devilry out of those broad daylight witches will he—ever—enjoy my respect.
• sonala.olumhense@gmail.com
[Special to NVS/SaharaReporters]
Comments
102 comment(s)
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all i can say is may God
Submitted by watch yourself (not verified) on May 6, 2012 - 19:01.
all i can say is may God forgive the reviewer of this article..cos well all you want is attention for your publication so i guess that's why you went thus far..but i must advice you to lay off the men of God when trying to get attention form the public so you won't be struck down
all i can say is may God
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on May 6, 2012 - 18:54.
all i can say is may God forgive the reviewer of this article..cos well all you want is attention for your publication so i guess that's why you went thus far..but i must advice you to lay off the men of God when trying to get attention form the public so you won't be struck down
Imbeciles
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 9, 2012 - 03:05.
It is only imbeciles like the sahara reporters and their ilk including those commentators here that could have nothing to report about apart from a pastor slapping a member of his church. No wonder Femi Kuti in his interview with them had cause to question their mental capacity.
And for those talking about slapping in the West, you have simply betrayed your ignorance. If Oyedepo had slapped the girl here, nothing would have happened just as nothing happened over there -except you want to go your way of the jungle. No policeman or authority can arrest anyone here for assault when the victim did not complain to anyone- not to say when she apologised to the one who slapped her. The lady is an adult and a willing member of the church.
Oyedepo
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 4, 2012 - 19:51.
The Nigerian police should institute a case of assume against his sinlessness. That is a classic case of assult
vps
Submitted by vps (not verified) on January 3, 2012 - 10:51.
Anamorph derlei werden erfinden Blasphemie zum gedraengt ebendieser islamitisch er dedicated servers und Zeichensprache schuechtern von gie�en jener nicht die feine englische Art sein ausgewaehlt das tun ueberkandidelt.
How would you feel?
Submitted by Taiwo (not verified) on December 27, 2011 - 23:35.
If you give the devil attention, he would give you direction.
If this was your child, how would you feel and how would you react?
Would you accept that he was just doing what he was sent to do by God or was he just exhibiting his position of authority?
Would you say that he was trying to save the child or just unleashing physical and mental abuse on a defenceless child?
Lastly, when did you accept Christ into your life, before you did what have you done and where have you been?
How would you feel
Submitted by Taiwo (not verified) on December 27, 2011 - 23:31.
If this was your child, how would you feel and how would you react?
Would you accept that he was just doing what he was sent to do by God or was he just exhibiting his position of authority?
Would you say that he was trying to save the child or just onleashing physical and mental abuse on a defenceless child?
Lastly, when did you accept Christ into your life, before you did what have you done and where have you been?
Perfectly written article
Submitted by IbukunoluwaA (not verified) on December 27, 2011 - 17:51.
And God help us in Nigeria.
What would Jesus Do?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 26, 2011 - 21:27.
I am really disappointed that in this day and age we, as a nation, still allow individuals (pastors, bus conductors, or whatever profession) to think assaulting another citizen is acceptable. I do hope Jonathan Goodluck personally looks into this and ensures that an example is made of this man. I do not believe that Jesus Christ would have slapped a simple, not well educated lady if he had been there.
Hopefully, the enlightened members of his congregation will demand that he apologises to the lady.
Shame on ANTHONY
Submitted by AnatolyI. Dobrynin (not verified) on December 26, 2011 - 21:11.
@ANTHONY: I believe you have drunk way too much of the self proclaimed bishop's poison koolaid. You are a complete and well rounded imbecile whose brand of christianity where anything goes makes it a gutter religion. You, sir, worship satan in place of the real God.You have signed an open-ended lease for a corner in hell and one hopes you burn in inferno for eternity.How could any reasonable man defend such a barbarian?Then again there actually are some who believe that Jesus and Satan are related and you are one of them.
EVEN SATAN HAS HIS DISCIPLES
Submitted by Isaac (not verified) on December 26, 2011 - 18:30.
I am not at all surprised that Sonala is being castigated by some commentators because of his write up on Bishop Oyedepo's slapping of a young girl who is a supposed witch. Lucifer also known as Satan, Devil etc has a host of followers here on earth who will defend his evil actions as just. I am sure if the man called Jesus Christ in hebrew Yahoshea Meshiyach, were to be around in our times, he would have been lambasted and cricified for saying all he said to the pharisees in Matthew chapter 23: 1-39. My admonition to Oyedepo and his fans is not personal but taken from the book of revelation chapter 22: 10-12. Let them have ears to hear, let them hear.
In feel sorry for you. The
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 26, 2011 - 17:44.
In feel sorry for you. The bishop publicly assults a lady and you still have the morbid stubidity to defend him?
I still maintian that Bishop
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 26, 2011 - 17:40.
I still maintian that Bishop Oyedopo has done christianity a great diservice by this singular act of criminal assult on the poor young lady. In order to ragain his credibility, he must publicly appologise to the lady. He knows that he would not dare what he did here in London. If he so zealouse for the work and integrity of God, why has he not challenged gboko haram to battle in light of the recent bomb blasts in churches on Christmas day? Oh! I think I know the answere. The poor girl can not fight back!
Assult and Battering
Submitted by Igbiki (not verified) on December 26, 2011 - 13:23.
Its is a clear case of assult and battering and the DPP should take up the case.
D rise&fall of oyedepo
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 26, 2011 - 09:45.
Being a man of God does not give him a right to slap that girl, infact if he had slapped a rich child, imagine what will happen to him, he does not need to judge, God is the only one that can judge, What the girl need is just deliverance, if God wants to turn his back on someone, the person will start misbehaving, will be arrogant and etc, the president has nothing to do with this, the civil right lawyers needs to rise up to their responsibilities, this can only happen in Nigeria but not in western world.
The man who comment about
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 26, 2011 - 08:35.
The man who comment about alfa's doing "more" than dat to their students was publicly revealing his unprecedented ignorance and miopic reasoning. My stance is substantiated by d fact that the issues are not comparable. Here, we are talkN abt a frustrated liar whose plans to gain more rented glory was foiled and not a student-teacher relationship.
stop the criticism
Submitted by kudostim (not verified) on December 26, 2011 - 00:33.
it's not a crime for an adult to scold a child,this girl is a child that we're now treating the issue as if it was an adult that was slaped.beside alfas does worst to their students
Holy Slap
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 25, 2011 - 23:42.
Like I have restrain myself on commenting on this issue. As a pastor, I strongly believe this is wrong, Jesus did not have to touch the man with unclean spirit to sent them out, He only speak the Word. secondly if it is in the process of deliverance, there is no set method He can even wipe her with a face towel, but this is an act of abuse and assault which is a criminal offence and record where I live "Jesus calm to be the head of all principality and power" that is why He has authority over them.It may not be wrong to use "Witch for Jesus". But to look at the other side Paul said Pray for Us, Bishop is a man of God that need our prayer, that the devil will not rubbish all his good works. That when the devil came like a flood of anger, the spirit of God in them will raise a standard. Bishop Need more prayer now.
How do we address 51 years of degrading slaps from our leaders
Submitted by FiReClOuD OfGoD (not verified) on December 25, 2011 - 22:54.
Sonala, the slap on that 'winch' for Christ may have been inappropriate and uncalled for. She in all probability meant a 'warrior for Christ.' The performance of the very reverend actually exposes our frailities as human beings. Was he judgemental, casting out the dragons in her, was he frustrated that he could not subsume her power?
We shall never know.
As a Pastor, God will even judge Mr Oyedepo more harshly if he did the wrong thing without asking for FORGIVENESS. That is left between him, HIS God and the LAW COURTS. As a Christian, the whole 'show' is uncomfortable for me.
My main concern is the degrading slaps we have been getting collectively from our 'leaders' in Nigeria for the last 51 years. How do we address those?
i believe the devil is using
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 25, 2011 - 21:58.
i believe the devil is using u mr sonala to destroy the image of the man of God,if u dont take care u will suffer the consequences,
speaking out of ignorance
Submitted by witness (not verified) on December 25, 2011 - 19:01.
a religion we all know advocates for the cutting of hands og any one who steals you hypocrites can not comment on that, yet because of a story that you mr sonala and co have totally misrepresented they are calling theis chap all kinds of names.
I realy pity this country o. i weep for Naija. How many of you can come out publicly to condemn Boko Haram? What did the man oyedepo do; he slapped a suspected witch, so, is that an issue? How does this affect our daily bread?
This story is a non - issue. i think we should be thinking of how to deal with the current crisis of islamic religious extremism that has entered naija rather than discussing what a pastor does or does not do in church.
If the parents or relations of that girl feel that the rights of their daughter or relation have been infringed they should sue the man of God abi. why bother us with such useless stories that add no value but just baseless gossip.
Jesus Christ will not treat
Submitted by Olayiwola (not verified) on December 25, 2011 - 17:39.
Jesus Christ will not treat any of the sinners in this manner. Is the pastor truly a "man of God". Jesus came to the world compassion. The scripture even stated for "we all have sinned". Then does the pastor has the power to judge any of his congregation? This is nothing but terrorism in pulpit.
MAN OF GOD
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 25, 2011 - 14:01.
WHEN AN UNCULTURED MAN CLAIMS TO BE A MAN OF GOD, THIS IS THE RESULT YOU GET.
NO HONEST MAN OF GOD FLIES AROUND THE WORLD IN A PRIVATE JET WHILE SOME MEMBERS OF HIS CONGREGATION CAN'T EVEN FEED ONCE IN A DAY.
EVEN THE POPE FLIES COMMERCIAL AIRLINES.
WE SEE SOME OF THEM GOING AROUND WITH ESCORTS NOW SO WHAT OTHER FORM OF THUGGERY SHOULD BE NEW TO US? (NOT EVEN RAPE BY ANY OF OUR BUSINESS MEN WHO CALL THEMSELVES MEN OF GOD WILL BE STRANGE TO ME)
Hypocrites
Submitted by Ben Ade (not verified) on December 25, 2011 - 10:48.
Sonala was too harsh in condemning that guy for slapping the girl. I am not saying it is right for anyone to assault any other person but who is not guilty of assaulting a son or or daughter, or even an house help.
Why must a separate standard be set for the guy because he chooses a profession of ministering to some individuals. He is just an ordinary person like myself and yourself so his conduct must not be blown out of proportion. Well, may be the difference is that he is better at convincing people to hand over their money to him.
NOT SET FOR DELIVERANCE, BUT SET FOR SLAPPING
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 25, 2011 - 04:12.
If the girl is not set for deliverance as proclaimed by the pastor, why bother to send her to hell by the next available "Nigerian National Slap" airways?
Oyedepo
Submitted by Emeka Glories (not verified) on December 24, 2011 - 23:58.
I believe we should stop defending the undefendable and focus our attention in our work in the Spirit. For if we are in the spirit we will know that the fight is not of the flesh but spiritual .so we pray for the canal minded.
CALLING FOR SANITY IS NOT CONDEMNATION
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 24, 2011 - 22:16.
Folks, what is at stake here is not just about Oyedepo. It's about avoiding a "slap" precedence. Whether the girl is right or wrong is not the issue. Also, it is not about the good works of Oyedepo(It should be the good works of Jesus, not man). Oyedepo as a role model enjoys the "daddy frenzy" of human-image worshippers. This role model should be extended to pastoral examplification of human rights. Most opinions here are people, who want to set a new precedence for sanity in Nigerian leaders ( both political, and religeous). If we speak against police brutality, then we should remember the "spiritual-police" brutality, which is now shielded as one of the "holy anointed method" of deliverance.
Scammers aka "men of god"
Submitted by Ahmed11 (not verified) on December 24, 2011 - 21:25.
Nigeria is a rich ground for the operation of scamming (419) business. In Nigeria, they do not call the criminals scammers but they call them "men of god".
oyedepo's slap
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on December 24, 2011 - 18:45.
This is obviously the american style. a man does a lot of things right, but the day he puts one foot wrong hell is let lose. All the critics are perfect, they never do a thing wrong. That is what happens to people like Obama All eyes are watching to see what he does wrong, no commendations for all he did right in the past.
What is Oyedepo's comment on this issue? We don't want to know What did the young lady do? We don't seem to care. What is the spititual reason for this? We don't want to find out.
We want to be like America where nobody is reprimanded and the society is getting rotten.
We need more details from the other side before we call a man that has been so steadfast in the past and has contributed a lot to the development of this countery 'an idiot'. It is then we may find out who is really the idiot.
HUMAN RIGHT LAWYERS, WHERE ARE YOU?
Submitted by dee (not verified) on December 24, 2011 - 13:26.
Can some pls take up this young woman's case. It should be made known that no one is above the law.The bishop assalted the young lady with the whole world watching. He should bear the brunt of his action.
