Bishop Dr. Gabriel David-Okoro JP
It is no longer news that Bishop Feyi Daniels of I Reign Christian Ministry has been remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Security Prisons for the alleged rape of two women. Before lending my opinion on this issue, let me quickly inform my dear readers that I don’t know this man of God from Adam, other than having watched video clips of his ministrations four or five times ; and this I believe is enough for me to discern him.
If Satan can raise people who can boldly lie without any atom of shamefacedness, why should it be difficult for God to raise people who will boldly speak the truth, or declare God’s mind either as in foretelling or forth-telling, in an equal or greater measure? The summary of Bishop Feyi Daniels’ prophecy is clear, “Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not be sworn in as president.” Of course, that is enough to stir an hornet’s nest.
Some people have criticized him for that prophecy, whether fairly or unfairly, sincerely or insincerely. One school of thought feels he should have kept quiet even though God has spoken to him, knowing full well that the government of the day frowns at anything, or anyone that objects to their objectives; and in this instance, Bishop Daniels’ prophecy objects their objectives, which is to remain in power. The second school of thought feels that he should have been more diplomatic in relaying his prophecy, and this lack of diplomacy is the reason why he’s being haunted down. The third school of thought believes that as a Pastor, he should not have dabbled into anything political in the first instance.
To these schools of thought, I have the following answers. First, to those who felt he should have kept quiet since the content of the prophecy is very ‘sensitive’; the question is why don’t we ascribe the same level of sensitivity or importance to the missing Chibok girls, Deborah’s gruesome murder, the daily oil theft in the Niger Delta, illegal mining operations in the Northern part of Nigeria, incessant spate of kidnappings, and the unending Boko haram war, just to mention a few? Or, are they less sensitive issues? Anything that pertains to our national life should attract an equal measure of importance, or sensistivity; regardless of the persons involved, especially when it involves the sanctity of human lives. There are no sacred cows before God, even if there are, before men.
That a prophecy or divine word negates the expectation of certain person(s) because of their privileged position in the society shouldn’t make the Seer, Prophet, or Pastor to shy away from speaking God’s mind, since he or she serves God and not man. There is a common Yoruba adage that says; ” you don’t fear the person whom you have been sent to, but the person that sends you”. The task of a man of God is two-dimensional. He is divinely commissioned to speak both on God’s behalf to men (this is preaching, foretelling, or forth telling); and to also speak to God on men’s behalf (that is, intercession).
Why do men prefer the second dimension of the man of God’s ministry, and not the first dimension? The average human being calls for prayers but doesn’t call to hear the word of God, because most often than not, God’s word negates our expectations. And this is why many have paid or salaried prophets or pastors, who are always at the beck and call of men, and not God. Such people are not men of God, but men of men. They answer to men, and not to God. This reminds me of the four hundred and fifty prophets that fed from Ahab’s table.
What do you think they will say in respect of Ahab’s evil government? Your guess is as good as mine. “God is with you, His angels are by your side”. You’re doing well. In fact, you will succeed”. Did he succeed? Yes, he succeeded in taking Naboth’s vineyard, and his life. But he didn’t succeed when death came calling. They were the same people who pushed him to his destruction at Ramothgilead, by their false prophecies.
The second school of thought advocates for diplomacy. There is no other way of declaring God’s truth or prophecy other than what He has shown you. Any colouring, subtraction, or addition does not just invalidate such a prophecy, but puts the Prophesier under divine judgment. 18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Rev. 22:18-19.
We are where we are as a nation because we shy away from speaking, and living the truth; and this is largely because of our disregard for the truth.
The third school of thought believes Pastors should stay away from politics. We shouldn’t even speak about it, even if it will jeopardize our existence in this nation, and in the world to come. Let me be frank here. If we, in the clergy, fold our hands and allow so-called politicians to do as they like; many people will not even make the heaven that we are preaching to them. So, those thieving, and murderous politicians are sabotaging our objectives. More so, it is even within the purview of our mandate to be involved in politics.
There is nothing wrong with getting involved in politics. It’s not just a matter of interest, but a matter of concern. How can I sit comfortably in a disconnected way when politicians are tearing down the roof over my head?
The Bible is full of examples of people who served God while still being involved in governance. Joseph in Egypt, Daniel in Babylon, and Nehemiah in Babylon. What about Queen Esther? There were influential women in Jesus’ ministry. One of them was the wife of Herod’s steward. Nicodemus, a secret disciple of Jesus Christ, was a member of the Sanhedrin, our own version of the Nigerian senate. In addition, Simon the Zealote, one of the twelve, was a politician.
The fact is that unscrupulous individuals know that Pastors have an advantage if they should invade the political space. They have numbers cum popularity, and integrity, which is something that they cannot offer but which our society is desperately in need of; hence the reason why they attempt to blackmail us (members of the clergy) into silence.
It is in this regard, that I believe that Bishop Feyi Daniels is a victim of vindictive indictment. Assuming, a man of his stature has a promiscuous tendency, it won’t be difficult for him to get members of the congregation who will be willing to coalesce with him sexually. Of course, there is the possibility that certain members of his congregation might have been casting sexual glances at him. He could have picked out of the array of such willing women, and satisfy his sexual urge.
Again, why is the government so swift in indicting him, and taking him to court? Why didn’t it take them aeons to do this, like it took them in resolving electoral cases, bringing to book government officials that have been indicted of corrupt practices, and a host of malpractice too numerous to mention? In addition, why is it happening at such a critical time as this in which he is one of the known dissenting voices about the electoral process that led to the emergence of the new president-elect?
Let me emphasize here that, because a man of God prophesied against a particular person or cause doesn’t necessarily imply that he’s against such a person, or cause. The converse is also true, that a prophecy is in favour of someone or a particular cause doesn’t mean that the prophet is in support. It doesn’t even mean that God favors such a person or cause. For example, Elisha wept after prophesying that Hazael would be king. He foresaw the evil that the recipient of the prophecy was going to do against Israel. Ref. 2Kings 8:11-13.
In another instance, God told Jonah to prophesy against Nineveh. Jonah’s initial reluctance hinged on his awareness of God’s benevolence and graciousness. God wanted to bring the people of Nineveh to repentance through Jonah’s negative prophecy. Students of the Bible know that Jonah was disappointed when God didn’t destroy that city. This further heightens the assertion that a man of God can be emotionally detached from the prophecy he was giving.
The point is, a true Prophet’s responsibility is to discharge his God-given duty regardless of whose ox is gored. Bishop Feyi Daniels has done what God expects of him, he should be left alone in peace. For emphasis’ sake, there is sometimes an emotional contrast between the contents of a prophecy and the Prophesier.
Were it not for God’s vindication, who would believe that Joseph did not attempt to rape Portiphar’s wife? It was not just his word against hers, but his clothes in her hands, a damnable evidence of an attempted rape. Given the precarious circumstance, who would believe that it was the woman who was attempting to take advantage of the man?
I believe that the rape allegations against Bishop Feyi Daniels are untrue. We trust God to prove his innocence and to also deal decisively with his enemies as He did for the Daniel of old after the enemies executed a well-scripted conspiracy against him.
No doubt, rape is a serious offense. However, there is a world of difference between consensual sex and rape. Except for minors, when we talk about adults, what we call rape is difficult to ascertain if there are no human witnesses or CCTV footage as the burden of proof. The exoneration of an accused person who have established known relational ties with supposed rape victim(s), despite not having previous criminal record, will require divine intervention. It is difficult for such a person to be acquitted, especially if it has been established that he has a level of relationship wherein he and the supposed victim(s) have bilaterally programmed themselves to see, and meet from time to time; based on the nature of their work or the mutually accepted reason for their meeting.
The relationship can be based on the utility services which the supposed victim(s) offers to the accused person, or vice versa. To the natural mind, any rape story framed around this kind of atmosphere is believable. It will require a magnifying lens to critically analyse the facts presented, before coming to a logical conclusion of acquittal, or guilty as charged.
Someone who values the services rendered by a particular opposite sex so much that, he is frequently in touch with that person to the point of violating his private space, stands the risk of being accused of rape. If the person in question did not even have such a mischievous mindset, it will be difficult to convince outsiders that there is no ongoing amorous affairs between the two parties ( that is, the raped and the rapist).
When a woman enters a man’s bedroom without being coerced, and later raises a rape alarm, the first logical question is what were you doing there, in the first instance? You have no right to raise an alarm if someone splashes water on your body at the poolside. If you don’t want to be wet, don’t go near water bodies.
If there is any takeaway for every pastor or man of God in Bishop Feyi Daniels’ alleged rape saga, it is to always strive to live above board because we are being watched. We should also be wary of those who flock around our lives and ministries. Some, are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Some have been sent from the enemy’s camp to spy out the liberty that we have in Christ. Others have been sent as Delilahs to ensure our downfall.
Finally, I wish to urge those who are in government to employ the same zeal and speed which they used in prosecuting Bishop Feyi Daniels to all indicted government officials, politicians, election offenders, and adjudication of all pending election petitions. Let it not be a case of selective justice.
