Daddy Freeze, Pastor Ibiyeomie and Emotional Outbursts

Enough has not been said of the verbal outrage of Port-Harcourt-based Pastor David Ibiyeomie. In a video that went viral, Pastor Ibiyeomie was seen on the pulpit waxing with crass vituperations against popular broadcaster Ifedayo Olarinde popularly known as Daddy Freeze.

In the video, Pastor Ibiyeomie made condescending statements against the person of Daddy Freeze. Repeatedly, he called him a bastard for criticizing Bishop David Oyedepo, the General Overseer of Living Faith Church, whom he considers his father. According to Ibiyeomie, he cannot keep quiet and watch anyone insult his father and make jest of him online; he would kill that person.

The senior pastor of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie warns Daddy Freeze never to insult Bishop Oyedepo again. He also calls him a 'bastard' says, "those who have no father insult fathers" pic.twitter.com/dEdzI9zkxA

— Elevation News Today (@ElevationToday) September 7, 2020

Pastor Ibiyeomie proceeded to attack the race of the ace broadcaster and took a swipe at his profession.

“Daddy Freeze doesn’t have a father. If he does, he will not insult someone else’s father… He is a Somalian… His mother gave birth to him on a ship. He is a bastard… If he has a father let him show us… Is it not that one that his wife left him? What does he say he does again? Broadcaster! Is broadcaster a job? Let him bring the money he makes from broadcasting. You guys should warn him. I cannot watch him insult my father. I will deal with him!”

With those harsh words, it was clear that Pastor Ibiyeomie spoke from the place of anger. His words were bereft of peace as he threatened the existence of Daddy Freeze. We do not tell a man how to react when he is angry. However, it is quite necessary that caution is placed on the words we say while we are angry.

Overruled by emotions

Naturally, no sane man would watch his father being insulted. Nevertheless, two wrongs do not make a right. Firstly, for a man who is dedicated to preaching the gospel of Christ Jesus and affecting lives positively, using the word ‘bastard’ for another man is totally wrong. No matter how he felt at that moment, using such words on the altar only showed his weakness to the public.

Read Also: Sharif-Aminu: The Need to Calm Down on Religious Fanaticism

Secondly, Daddy Freeze is no Somalian. His father is Nigerian while his mother is Romanian. Pastor Ibiyeomie allowed his anger to overrule his quest for knowledge.

Thirdly, his choice of words is quite unfortunate especially for a man of God. No man has the right to take the life of another. That statement is incriminating and needs to be retracted.

Fourthly, what does Pastor Ibiyeomie mean by ‘broadcasting is not a job’? For crying out loud, broadcasters are hardworking people. Daddy Freeze has dedicated 25 years to his job.

Pastor David Ibiyeomie’s a-broadcaster-does-he-have-a-good-job jibe at Daddy Freeze is a multipronged attack on the dignity of labour. A 'man of God' should know that society is the ultimate loser if we start to propagate the gospel that some legitimate jobs are “not good”.
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— 'Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) September 8, 2020

In his quest to attack Daddy Freeze, Pastor Ibiyeomie has successfully shamed a profession that has provided for many persons and equally brought honor to them. With that statement, Ibiyeomie disregarded the professionals who put in endless efforts to their work.

Daddy Freeze is no saint

Inasmuch as we would like to hurl criticism at the Head Pastor of Salvation Ministries, can we also state that anyone who criticizes others also deserves to be criticized? Meanwhile, Daddy Freeze has responded to the statement by Pastor Ibiyeomie. Among his points raised, he stated that if anything should happen to him, people should know who to hold responsible.

Finally Daddy Freeze has responded to Pastor David Ibiyeomie. In his response he spoke of not insulting Pastor David Oyedepo but merely disagree over a passage of scriptural interpretation.
Also accused Pst Ibiyeomie of racist and hate speech remarks and threat to life pic.twitter.com/Lv1xaYDvsx

— Herald News Reporter (@hnreportersblog) September 8, 2020

It is no news that Daddy Freeze glories in criticizing pastors in Nigeria. In fact, if you call him the slayer of Bishop David Oyedepo, you will not be wrong. He constantly feeds his followers with contrary statements from men of God. Even as he assumes to hold a good knowledge of the Bible as these pastors do, can we also acknowledge the fact that these men are talking to their flocks?

Daddy freeze calls Oyedepo -screeching bald headed fowl & other unspeakable names, our woke generation celebrate & hail him but when he’s called a bastard, everyone is angry. A critic should be able to tolerate criticism. If you can’t take what you dish out, then stop dishing.

— Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) September 9, 2020

It becomes an issue when a particular argument gives someone immense joy that he forgets other more important matters around him. Like the 22-year-old Yahaya Sharif-Aminu who has been sentenced to death by the Shari’a law for blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed.

Is the preaching of Bishop Oyedepo on submission more important than the ills going on in the country and other matters of religious fanaticism?

Ibiyeomie may have chosen not to be that Christian who ‘’turns the other cheek.’’ His method of portraying his message may have been harsh. However, we should all get our priorities right.