By Sandra Nwaokolo

Nigerian clergyman and founder of the ministry House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, has ignited a major social media uproar after condemning the recent assassination attempt against former US president Donald Trump in the United States.

The incident, which involved a bullet, pierced Trump’s right ear at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.

The shooting left one person dead and another seriously injured.

Adefarasin expressed his sentiments on his official social media platform, X, on Sunday, thanking God for Trump’s survival and extending condolences to the family of the deceased spectator.

He wrote in part, “We condemn political violence in the leading democracy of the free world. We are thankful to God for the survival of former President Donald J. Trump without fatal injury.

“We extend our condolences to the family of the deceased spectator and offer our prayers for the injured. Our prayers remain for a speedy and total recovery of former President Trump.

“Our prayers are with both candidates and the democratic process in America. As Africans, we draw inspiration from the American democratic process. Long live American democracy, and may God bless America.”

However, Adefarasin’s post was met with harsh criticism from Nigerians, who accused him of hypocrisy for failing to condemn the violence and killings during Nigeria’s 2023 elections and have called for him to practice what he teaches in church.

The backlash was swift and fierce, with many Nigerians flooding his comment section. Here are a few reactions that Tribune Online gathered.

@SavvyRinu tweeted, “Did you condemn the electoral violence against voters in Nigeria, especially the vicious threats and attacks unleashed against Nigerians from the SE in Lagos? You talk about democracy, what about the flagrantly rigged elections that were orchestrated in your country in 2023?”

@AfamDeluxo wrote, “Pastor, despite the political violence in the 2023 General elections in Lagos, where you pastor & have your headquarters, there was/has been no condemnation from you, even with video evidence and reports from EU observers. Nevertheless, carry on, sir. We all know what we are doing.”

@UnkleAyo added, “Brock Lesnar, Not once did you condemn the violence that happened in your backyard. Not once. Not once did you acknowledge the political madness that ravaged this country. Every night you go to sleep, I hope you’re safe in the realisation that you’re a useless person.”

@AjeboDanny alleged, “Oh now we draw inspiration from their democratic process but you were giving prophecies on our own with corn in your pocket ehn Paul?”

@mavisikpeme questioned, “Blind to the chaos that happened in Nigeria during the election, active for America. Is this not the hypocrisy Jesus preached against?”

@RealQueenBee__ tweeted, “Your hypocrisy stinks and will continue to stink. You never condemned the high-scale violence & killings that marred the 2023 elections in Nigeria, but quick to condemn it in The United States.”

@rusticfunm said, “You’ve never condemned The electoral violence deployed during 2023 elections to rig a drug baron into power, the ongoing genocidal xenophobia/bigotry targeted towards a particular ethnic group, the killings of Christians in the North/Middlebelt. Pastor Gym. E ku ise.”

@D_lone_wolf_ advised, “Why not be a proper leader and start with your country? You’re bringing a fire extinguisher to quench the burning in another man’s house; meanwhile, your own house has basically gotten destroyed due to the same fire.”

@Ugochukwu_96 queried, “You were silent throughout the violence in the 2023 elections in Nigeria and have been quiet since Tinubu came into power and has made Nigerians suffer unbearable suffering. Now, see how quickly you responded to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump … You all know what you’re doing.”

@FS_Yusuf_ said, “You onlook the ones that happened right una your nose, to be written this rubbish like you truly care. Even the Pharisees didn’t display this level of hypocrisy.”

@Spotlight_Abby wrote: “Just like DJ Cuppy, Mr. Paul Adefarasin shows his focus and the elections that matter to him. The political violence happening everyday and everywhere in Nigeria don’t matter. After all, Africa is just a harvest ground for resources, tithes and offerings, for these “superior” mortals.”

@HonAdaora wrote: “I’m just speechless! So he tweets? He actually sees political violence? Wowwwww!!!”

@RealQueenBee__ wrote: “Mr Saul must come, you’re a shame, a disgrace to your mother country & the Church. Your hypocrisy stinks and will continue to stink. You never condemned the high scale v!0lence & k!ll!ngs that marred the 2023 elections in Nigeria, but quick to condemn it in The United States.”

@FS_Yusuf_ wrote: “You onlook the ones that happened right una your nose, to be written this rubbish like you truly care. Even the Pharisees didn’t display this level of hypocrisy.”

@AfamDeluxo wrote: “Pastor, despite the political violence in 2023 General elections in Lagos, where you pastor & have your headquarters, there was/has been no condemnation from you, even with video evidence and reports from EU observers. Nevertheless, carry on, sir. We all know what we are doing.”

@SavvyRinu wrote: “Did you condemn the electoral violence against voters in Nigeria, especially the vicious threats and attacks unleashed against Nigerians from the SE in Lagos? You talk about democracy, what about the flagrantly rigged elections that was orchestrated in your country in 2023?”

@rusticfunmi wrote: “You’ve never condemned: The electoral violence deployed during 2023 elections to rig a drug baron into power. The ongoing genocidial xenophobia/bigotry targeted towards a particular ethnic group. The killings of Christians in the North/Middlebelt. Pastor Gym. E ku ise”

@FirstObidient wrote: “You didn’t condemn political violence in Nigeria. You were even accused of attacking a motorist in Lagos some months ago, you kept your mouth shut, today you have something to say. A hypocrite!”