People who are fond of criticizing clerics such as pastors and other ministers of God are cursed.

This is the position of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the founder and president of LoveWorld Incorporated, also known as Christ Embassy.

The Cable reports that the popular cleric made his position known during Christ Embassy's cross over service on Thursday, December 31.

Pastor Chris said it is not the place of anyone to accuse ministers or criticize clerics and he quoted a Bible verse to back up his claim.

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The pastor said:

“I usually tell those in my ministry, don’t criticise God’s people, especially the ministers of God. Leave them alone for the Bible says ‘whatever they do, they do them unto the Lord."

“You’re not the one to accuse another man’s servant. Don’t join anybody to criticise other ministers. I tell my family members the same thing. Leave them alone because there are curses against those who do so.

According to him, if someone goes ahead to criticize or lay accusations against pastors, such a person would suffer dire consequences.

Pastor Chris Oyakhilome says people who criticize clerics are cursed already. Photo credit: @PastorChrisOya8

He further argued that it is ignorance for anyone to criticize clerics or ministers of God as they are popularly called in Nigeria.

He added:

“If you do, you find out sickness won’t leave your home, there would always be one terrible thing about your family. So, don’t join those who do that, they are ignorant.”

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Legit.ng notes that Pastor Oyakhilome made headlines in 2020 when he condemned his colleagues who refused to open their churches after the Lagos state government gave the approval for religious centres to reopen.

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The clergyman did not mention names but some of the pastors that have refused to reopen their auditoriums for worship include Pastor Tunde Bakare, Prophet TB Joshua and Pastor Sam Adeyemi.

Nigeria is currently witnessing a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases, forcing schools, clubs and other important places to shut down.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Tuesday, December 29, announced 749 new cases of coronavirus with Lagos and Plateau topping the log.

Some states have banned crossover night service over the scare of Coronavirus. Credit: The Cross Believer

This brings the total number of the cases in the official record of NCDC to 85,560, 71,937 recoveries, with over 1000 deaths.

With the spiralling cases, some states including Lagos and Ogun have banned or restricted a crossover service, a development health experts said can help flatten the curve in January.

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These are the states:

1. Ondo State

The Governor Rotimi Akeredolu-led government issued a statement banning crossover service across the Ondo's 18 local government areas.

The state also warned that offenders will face three months imprisonment or N20,000 fine.

Ondo has 1,811 cases of COVID-19 as at this report.

2. Osun state

Although the decision was later rescinded, the government of Osun state earlier announced a ban on crossover amid COVID-19 scare.

This was contained in a statement on Tuesday, December 29, signed by the commissioner for information and civic orientation, Funke Egbemode.

3. Lagos state

Being the epicentre of the coronavirus infection, Lagos state has placed a ban on the crossover service, all-night services, including vigils.

Earlier, the government shut down schools until further notice and directed all workers from level 12 and below to work from home.

Lagos has 29,184 cases of the deadly disease.

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4. Ogun state

In a similar move, Governor Dapo Abiodun-led Ogun state government also placed a restriction on the crossover service.

The governor directed that street carnivals be suspended while restricting attendance to crossover services, parties and similar gatherings.

Ogun has 2,457 cases of coronavirus.

5. Kwara state

With 1,414 cases, the Kwara government also imposed a partial lockdown and curfew in the state from 12 midnight to 4:30 am till further notice.

6. Plateau state

Plateau state government did not ban crossover service but only restricted churches to 50% of the capacity.

7. Ekiti state

Although there was no fresh order banning crossover service, Ekiti government directed the law enforcement agents to begin enforcement of COVID-19 protocols on activities in public places.

This includes worship centres, event centres, markets, supermarkets, bars and hotels.

8. Edo state

With 2,852 cases, Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government announced the reintroduction of restrictions in a bid to curb the disease.

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There was no total ban but the state adjusted its curfew from 12 midnight to 4am daily, starting from December 23, except on December 31, 2020.

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9. Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered that all bars, restaurants, leisure gardens, and event centres be shut for five weeks.