A fresh controversy has erupted online after popular Nigerian singer, Skales, launched a fiery response against Apostle Harrison Ayintete. The cleric had publicly criticised the singer's recent viral church testimony, labelling it as ungodly.
The Spark of the Controversy
The drama began when Apostle Harrison Ayintete, founder of The Goodness Nation Ministries, commented on a video of Skales giving a testimony in church. The pastor dismissed the singer's account of his experiences as not inspiring godliness. This critique, shared online, quickly gained traction and caught the attention of Skales and his fans.
Reacting directly under the pastor's social media post, Skales did not hold back. He accused Apostle Ayintete of overstepping his boundaries and judging matters that did not concern him. The singer pointed out that his testimony was accepted in the church where he shared it, questioning the pastor's authority to condemn it.
Skales' Fiery Clapback and Accusations
In his reply, Skales invoked the biblical commandment against judging others, challenging the cleric on his scriptural basis for the criticism. He wrote, "Focus on your own church then … if I choose to testify and I go to a church and I am not judged it’s their business you are not God … thou shall not judge … Abi which bible you Dey read ehn gbenusi pastor."
Skales went further to suggest that the pastor's motives were not pure. He accused Apostle Ayintete of using his name and image to attract online publicity, a practice commonly referred to as clout-chasing. The singer explicitly stated, "He wants to use me enter blog," implying the pastor sought fame through the dispute. In the same breath, Skales included a personal jab at the pastor's appearance, insisting that faith should not be policed by individuals on the internet.
Mixed Reactions from Netizens
The online exchange has sparked a wave of reactions from social media users, with opinions sharply divided. Some commentators sided with the pastor's initial point, criticising Skales for his manner of response.
One user, @peminiswaggy, commented on the singer's maturity, saying, "You are not matured yet brr no wonder you are not really rated in the industry... Rest the fact is being said and reality is bitter to gulp in." Another, @360feet_ng, criticised Skales for attacking the pastor's looks instead of addressing the message.
However, others defended the singer and lambasted the cleric. User @olagzzy_13 offered strong support for Skales, writing, "Nah people like you no let people Dey go church again... You're a D E V I L and your face no fit say otherwise, you're not a pastor. You're a business man." This highlights the deep split in public perception of the incident.
This is not the first time Apostle Harrison Ayintete has sparked discussion with his views. Earlier, he made headlines for stating that there is nothing sinful about men in his congregation wearing earrings, citing the book of Exodus. That previous sermon also generated significant debate about church doctrine and personal conviction.
The clash between Skales and Apostle Ayintete underscores the ongoing tension between celebrity culture, personal faith, and public commentary from religious figures in Nigeria. It raises questions about the boundaries of pastoral criticism and the intersection of social media with spiritual matters.
