In the digital age, sermons and statements can quickly become fodder for relentless attacks from social media hotheads. Pastor Paul Adefarasin, the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock, recently found himself in the eye of a the storm. For condemning an assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump, he has suffered a barrage of attacks from netizens.
Adefarasin’s act of compassion ignited outrage among Nigerians, who pilloried him for condemning the attack on Trump while pointing out a perceived hypocrisy in his silence over the violence during Nigeria’s 2023 general elections. The backlash against the clergy man is revealing; the uproar, the accusations of hypocrisy, and the intersection of faith, politics, and social media fury highlight the true state of Nigeria’s political circuit, post-2023 elections.
A Bullet, A Prayer, and A Backlash: The Pastor’s Statement
On a seemingly regular Saturday night in Butler, Pennsylvania, chaos erupted as a bullet pierced the ear of former US President Donald Trump during a campaign rally. The shooting, which left one person dead and another seriously injured, sent shockwaves across the globe. In a statement posted on social media, Pastor Paul Adefarasin expressed gratitude for Trump’s survival, extended condolences to the family of the deceased, and applauded the rapid response of the Secret Service.
“We condemn political violence in the leading democracy of the free world… Our prayers remain for a speedy and total recovery of former President Trump,” Adefarasin wrote. He went on to praise President Biden for condemning the assassination attempt and hoped for the continuity of the democratic process in America.
However, what seemed like a well-intentioned message of solidarity quickly spiraled into a public relations nightmare.
Hypocrisy or Higher Calling? The Nigerian Perspective
No sooner had Pastor Adefarasin’s statement gone live than Nigerian social media users pounced. The crux of their outrage? The pastor’s glaring silence on the violence and killings that marred Nigeria’s 2023 elections. In a country where electoral violence is a painful reality, Adefarasin’s focus on American politics was seen as a stark betrayal.
“Wow, so Pastor Paul can pray for Trump but not for the innocent Nigerians who lost their lives during our elections?” tweeted one user. Another chimed in, “It’s always America first for these people. What about Nigeria? Hypocrisy at its finest!”
Saul Before David: A Sermon and its Fallout
Adefarasin’s recent comment, no doubt, added fuel to the fire started by a viral video of his sermon, last year, where he told his congregation that the elections might not unfold as they hoped. Using a biblical parable, he stated, “Saul came before David; David did not come before Saul. Saul will come, and David will come after.” The metaphorical use of “Saul” and “David” to describe presidential candidates led to widespread speculation and debate.
Many interpreted this as a subtle endorsement of a less favorable candidate before the arrival of a ‘better’ one. Critics argued that Adefarasin was making peace with an unjust electoral outcome rather than calling for immediate justice and accountability.
The Wrath of Obi-dients: Peter Obi’s Supporters Strike Back
Particularly vocal in their criticism were supporters of Labour Party leader Peter Obi, who took Adefarasin’s statement as a direct affront. They saw his words as a betrayal, especially given the turbulence surrounding the 2023 elections.
“You can’t claim to be a man of God and remain silent when your own country is burning,” one supporter commented. “Praying for Trump while ignoring our struggles? Unacceptable.”
Social Media’s Scalding Sermon: Highlighting Hypocrisy
In the age of social media, public figures are often held to account by the very platforms they use to spread their messages. Pastor Adefarasin’s perceived selective empathy was not going to slide under the radar. Comment sections, retweets, and viral posts became the modern-day equivalent of the town square, where grievances were aired and judgments passed.
When Silence Speaks Volumes: The Call for Consistency
For many Nigerians, the issue was not the pastor’s concern for Trump but his silence on domestic issues of equal or greater importance. In a country grappling with political violence, corruption, and social injustice, religious leaders are often seen as moral compasses. Adefarasin’s omission was, therefore, a significant point of contention.
A Lesson in Digital Diplomacy: Navigating Faith and Politics
Pastor Adefarasin’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for public figures navigating the tricky waters of faith and politics. In an interconnected world, where national issues resonate on a global scale, consistency and empathy must be universally applied.
Pastor Adefarasin’s condemnation of the attempt on Donald Trump’s life, while rooted in compassion, inadvertently spotlighted a glaring inconsistency that many Nigerians could not ignore. The backlash he faced underscores the importance of addressing domestic issues with the same fervor as international ones. In the court of public opinion, especially on social media, every word is weighed, every silence scrutinized. For Adefarasin, this was a powerful reminder that a shepherd’s duty extends beyond foreign pastures to his own flock’s backyard.
The Capital, https://www.thecapital.ng/adefarasin_trump/