A prominent Nigerian cleric, Pastor Chris Okafor, is facing calls to temporarily relinquish his pastoral duties following a public apology he made to Nollywood actress Doris Ogala. The advice comes from Ossai Ovie Success, a senior media aide to the Delta State governor, who argues that stepping aside would demonstrate accountability and integrity.
The Viral Apology and Call for Accountability
The controversy stems from a video that went viral on Sunday, December 28, 2025. In the clip, Pastor Chris Okafor, the founder and senior pastor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministry, publicly apologized to actress Doris Ogala during a church service. Reacting to the video, Ossai Ovie Success stated that while the public apology was commendable and demonstrated boldness, it should be followed by concrete action.
Ossai proposed that Pastor Okafor should step aside from the pulpit for a period of three months. He suggested the cleric transfer leadership of his church and use the time for reflection and seeking forgiveness. "This self-discipline will allow him to return with renewed anointing. As the founder of the church, he's not above discipline. Stepping down will demonstrate accountability and integrity," Ossai said.
He further emphasized the need for fairness, noting that a junior pastor facing similar allegations would likely face suspension. Therefore, it is fitting for Pastor Okafor to take a temporary leave to uphold the same standards.
Mixed Public Reactions to the Advice
The call for Pastor Okafor to step down has sparked a wave of mixed reactions from the Nigerian public on social media. While some support the move as necessary for spiritual accountability, others have fiercely defended the pastor.
One user, Prince Happy Slade, questioned the judgment, asking, "For what reason should he step aside? Your secret sin might even be worst than his own, you don't have right to judge him when God and the church forgive him."
Another commenter, Adams Michael, referenced biblical precedent, saying, "Where did you see that in the Bible, did David in the Bible step aside as a prophet, what happened to the scripture which says, a righteous man shall fall seven times and rise seven times..."
Others, like Chris Domin, agreed with the disciplinary action, suggesting, "I guess he should be excommunicated for 90 days.... The old church use to do it ... So he can't be above the church rules and regulations..."
Some reactions questioned the motive behind Ossai's statement, with The Wilsons implying it might just be for content creation, while James Onyirofie focused on the need for genuine repentance.
Doris Ogala's Stance and Background of the Feud
This development follows earlier reports where Doris Ogala herself faulted Pastor Chris Okafor's apology. She took issue with a part of his message where he claimed everything she said was a lie, firmly stating that she does not lie and criticizing that specific claim.
Legit.ng had previously reported that Ogala granted an interview detailing her alleged encounters with the pastor. She claimed they had met both in their village and in Lagos, providing names and addresses of locations. These bold claims initially ignited the online feud that led to the public apology.
The situation continues to unfold, placing a spotlight on accountability for religious leaders and the expectations of their congregations and the public. The core debate now centers on whether public apology is sufficient or must be coupled with tangible disciplinary steps, even for the founder of a ministry.
