Nigerian Pastors Clash Over Prosperity Preaching and Spiritual Leadership
A major controversy has erupted within Nigeria's religious community as Pastor Abel Damina, founder of Abel Damina Ministries International, launched a blistering attack on fellow pastor Korede Komaiya. The conflict stems from a viral video where Komaiya declared he would never follow a poor pastor, prompting Damina to label him a "greedy money monger and a liar."
The Viral Video That Sparked the Conflict
The confrontation began when a video surfaced online showing Pastor Korede Komaiya making controversial statements about spiritual leadership and poverty. In the circulating footage, Komaiya explicitly stated that he would never follow a pastor who was poor, suggesting that financial prosperity should be a measure of spiritual authority.
This declaration immediately drew sharp criticism from Pastor Abel Damina, who responded with his own video message condemning Komaiya's position as fundamentally opposed to Christian teachings. Damina accused his fellow pastor of promoting greed and materialism while fighting his own internal battles with poverty consciousness.
Damina's Scathing Critique of Prosperity Preaching
In his detailed response, Pastor Abel Damina systematically dismantled Komaiya's arguments, describing them as evidence of a mindset still struggling with poverty. He emphasized that wealth should never be the measure of spiritual leadership in genuine Christian ministry.
Damina specifically criticized Komaiya for what he called misleading teachings that equate material prosperity with spiritual authority. He stressed that the true foundation of the gospel is "godliness with contentment," a principle he believes many prosperity preachers have abandoned in favor of materialistic messages.
The controversy deepened as Damina revealed that Komaiya himself had once lived in poverty and was supported by ordinary congregants. He accused Komaiya of now using contributions from these same followers to dismiss poor pastors, creating what he described as a hypocritical cycle of exploitation.
Biblical Interpretation and Theological Disagreement
The conflict extended to biblical interpretation when Damina addressed Komaiya's use of the book of Proverbs to justify his prosperity-focused teachings. Damina explained that Proverbs contains human observations rather than doctrinal foundations, and he pointed out that scripture consistently values integrity above wealth accumulation.
"It is better to be poor and truthful than to mislead congregations with prosperity-driven teachings," Damina declared in his video response. He warned that such materialistic preaching disgraces the pulpit and fundamentally misrepresents the essence of Christianity.
Social Media Reactions and Public Debate
The clash between the two pastors has ignited heated debates across Nigerian social media platforms, with citizens passionately sharing their views on prosperity preaching and spiritual leadership. The controversy has revealed deep divisions within the Christian community about the role of wealth in ministry.
Many Nigerians expressed support for Damina's position, praising his willingness to challenge popular religious narratives. Others defended Komaiya's perspective, arguing that biblical prosperity is part of God's promises to believers. The debate has become particularly intense on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, where religious discussions frequently trend among Nigerian users.
Damina's History of Controversial Positions
This is not the first time Pastor Abel Damina has challenged mainstream religious positions in Nigeria. In January 2025, he stirred significant controversy by stating that smoking and drinking are not inherently sinful acts in Christianity, sparking widespread debate online.
Later in April of the same year, he openly disagreed with Pastor David Ibiyeomi of Salvation Ministries, who claimed that Jesus hated poverty. Damina countered that Jesus never condemned the poor but instead associated with them regularly, reinforcing his consistent stance against prosperity-centered doctrines that he believes distort biblical teachings.
Broader Implications for Nigerian Christianity
The ongoing conflict between Damina and Komaiya reflects larger tensions within Nigerian Christianity regarding the prosperity gospel movement. As one of Africa's most religious nations, Nigeria has seen significant growth in churches emphasizing material blessings, creating ongoing debates about theological authenticity and pastoral integrity.
This controversy comes at a time when many Nigerians are questioning the financial practices of some religious leaders, particularly regarding tithes, offerings, and the display of wealth. The public nature of this conflict ensures it will continue to generate discussion about the appropriate relationship between faith and finances in contemporary Nigerian society.
