Popular Nigerian social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has challenged Pastor David Ibiyeomie to place a curse on him, following the cleric’s reported statement that people he curses become useless for the rest of their lives.
VDM, who reacted to the pastor’s remarks in a video shared on social media, accused some religious leaders of using fear and claims of supernatural powers to influence and control their followers.
The activist dared Ibiyeomie to publicly identify individuals he had allegedly cursed, insisting that the cleric should demonstrate the power he claimed to possess.
All the social media people that you have cursed, call their names, I dare you. You are a liar, VDM said.
The social media commentator further criticised what he described as a pattern among some pastors of making church members believe that their spiritual leaders possess extraordinary powers that can determine their destinies.
According to VDM, such claims have historically been used to influence the decisions of church members, particularly parents and mothers, through fear and religious pressure.
He also questioned the practice of threatening members with hardship or misfortune when they fail to pay tithes and offerings, arguing that such messages create unnecessary fear among worshippers.
Citing biblical teachings, VDM maintained that Christians are instructed to bless those who persecute them rather than pronounce curses on others.
The Bible say bless those who persecute you, bless them and not curse. You people are not God, he stated
VDM also challenged another reported statement attributed to Pastor Ibiyeomie concerning an alleged donation of $1 million to God.
The activist questioned the circumstances surrounding the claim, particularly in view of what he described as the pastor not having a house at the time.
He used the issue to further question the credibility of some public declarations made by religious leaders.
Concluding his reaction, VDM described Ibiyeomie as a liar and repeated his challenge to the cleric to place a curse on him.
His comments have added to the ongoing public conversation about religious authority, spiritual declarations, church financial contributions and the influence of prominent pastors on their followers.
The controversy also raises broader questions about religious accountability, the interpretation of biblical teachings and the responsibility of religious leaders when addressing their congregations.
