Pastor Femi Lazarus has sparked controversy after announcing a coalition of ministries aiming to shut down platforms that criticize pastors. His remarks on church hierarchy and gospel artists have ignited backlash online, with many Nigerians condemning the move as censorship and an attack on free speech.
Pastor Femi Lazarus has stirred controversy after revealing that a coalition of ministries has been formed to combat online criticism of pastors and churches. Speaking to his congregation, he emphasized that the church follows a strict hierarchy, and it is not the public's place to critique pastors or their ministries.
Lazarus asserted that ministers should be the only ones addressing concerns within the church, adding that gospel artists who perform for financial gain are not considered kingdom ministers. He defended his stance on criticizing gospel singers who demand high fees for church performances, stating that his correction was directed at music ministers, not commercial artists.
However, his most striking statement came when he announced that three ministries had come together to establish a platform designed to take down the social media accounts of anyone who publicly criticizes pastors. "The moment you go online to publicize negative things about the ministry, within a minute, the coalition will act, and your platform will be removed," he declared.
The controversy continues to grow as reactions flood online platforms, with some calling for further scrutiny of religious leaders and their influence on digital spaces.
