IBADAN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Apostle Johnson Suleiman, the senior pastor and president of the Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, has revealed what he and gospel singer Sammie Okposo discussed before his demise.
Sammie Okposo died in Friday morning aged 51.
The news of his sudden passing on Friday had sparked controversies on social media.
Okposo, who was one of Nigeria’s most decorated gospel musicians, recently hit the headlines over an infidelity scandal.
The singer later tendered an apology but later deleted the message on Instagram.
Following the scandal, he took time off from ministration in order to retrace his step with God.
Following the news of his demise, Nigerians on Twitter had reacted, with some saying his death was a repercussion of his affair while others paid tribute to the singer who has won souls to Christ with his sonorous voice.
Apostle Suleman, a televangelist has also paid tribute to the singer, and slammed those posting his pictures after Okposo’s death but never reached out to him in his trying times.
The cleric wrote: “Now they post his pictures…but never reached out in his trying times..
He told me what pastors did to him and we both wept..
“Love has left the church.. We have more ‘lawyers’ who are ready to judge than intercessors ready to restore..
“Rest in power my brother.. You conquered!”
His tweet has since garnered reactions from tweeps, with some blaming the religious body for being judgmental.
A tweep, @DPEmpirekafe said: “This is the major reasons I don’t go to church anymore, instead of worshippers in church we have gossipers and Judges. People forgot that Jesus came for the sinners not the righteous.”
“You are only looking for excuse to stay out of church my brother 😂😂😂😂,” @ofdicialtifiola replied @DPEmpirekafe.
@DPEmpirekafe, who doesn’t agree with the earlier tweet, wrote: “I hope u don’t experience any of such…it is enough reason to stay of church why will one dwell where you don’t feel loved…”
@officialtifiola who isn’t one to easily back off asked why he stopped going to church but not to his workplace, pointing out that there are gossipers there too.
“Don’t you have gossippers in your place of work? Did you stopped going to work because of it?
“To server God you don’t need to look at what others are doing, go to church and go back home, you don’t need to involve yourself in what others are doing.
“U think u have made sense comparing worshipping space with a working space? How is praising Ur creator to be compared to where u earn a living…when u live among tigers and lion,u fink you will find a goat there….God is everywhere but those gossipers in church wont let u focus,” says @SupremeLimit who doesn’t see the sense in what @officialtifiola said.
@officialtifiola slammed @SupremeLimit for saying her comment isn’t sensible. “Ok. Sensei
“I’m having conversations with people that have good points though not people like you.”
S.O. Emmanuel said the point the Apostle raised was a good point but it was done at the wrong time.
“It’s good to raise this point but not at time Sir. There are reaction that are realistic but not ultimately beneficial. It is well.
“He played his part in the body and he will rest in power.”
“Thank you. As Christians we should not make comments out of emotions to stir up sentiments. Tiger Woods confessed Adultery and he lost all major endorsements. Why should anyone expect the Church to be less in its standards? Why did he not invite him to minister in his Church?,” wrote @dennisagels who agreed with Emmanuel.
“2 Timothy 2:19, KJV: Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. I did not make comment to sound popular and not scriptural. God will help us.”
Another tweep, @sadiqolamidee accused the cleric of misbehaviour with women.
He tweeted: “Oga when you pastors keep misbehaving. What example are you teaching those you pastor. You especially… All rumours and allegations about you is women women women… How will u seal our mouth not to talk? You people that called yourself men of gods should respect yourself too.”
“How many such allegations have been proven? Don’t you know that we live in a world where bold people who speak against systems are framed? Abeg rest,” says @richguydollars
Recall that in July, the internet was agog with the cheating allegations levelled against Apostle Suleman.
Series of allegations were levelled against the cleric after videos and messages of an actress surfaced on social media pages.
He was accused of sleeping with some Nollywood actresses.
However, some of the actresses named have taken to their social media pages to outrightly debunk the allegations, while some have deliberately ignored them.
The cleric said nobody can bring him down, adding that it’s only God that can bring him down.