UK-based Nigerian reality TV star Natasha Akide, popularly known as Tacha, has once again stirred the waters of public discourse—this time, calling out Nigerian pastors over what she described as “gaslighting” and “selective hypocrisy” in the ongoing controversy involving Pastor Paul Adefarasin of the House on the Rock Church.
In a strongly-worded video message posted via her X (formerly Twitter) account, Tacha expressed deep disappointment over the viral incident that showed Pastor Adefarasin confronting a car spotter while allegedly brandishing a pistol-like object. The clip, which has since sparked outrage online, shows the cleric telling the young man to stop filming his car—a moment many have called aggressive and unnecessary.
“We Saw the Video. Stop Gaslighting Us” – Tacha
Tacha didn’t mince words in her criticism, taking direct aim at the pastor and his congregation for trying to downplay the incident:
“There’s nothing I hate more than gaslighting. Everybody saw the video. From the video, we can tell who the aggressor was.”
She insisted that the object seen in the video “looked like a firearm,” countering Adefarasin’s claim that it wasn’t a gun. The pastor had also stated that the car spotter was being aggressive—a narrative Tacha flatly rejected.
“How was the boy aggressive? From what I saw, he was even hailing the pastor. There are car spotters all over the world. What exactly did he do wrong?”
“If It Was Wike or Seyi Tinubu, Twitter Would Be on Fire”
Tacha also criticized the double standards often applied to religious leaders in Nigeria, calling out what she sees as hypocrisy among churchgoers and social commentators.
“Let’s not even go far—if it was Seyi Tinubu, Wike, or Wike’s son who did the same thing, Twitter would be burning for a week. But because it’s a pastor, people are making excuses.”
“90% of Nigerian Pastors Can’t Try This Abroad”
Perhaps her most scathing remark was aimed at the culture of impunity she believes many Nigerian pastors enjoy within the country:
“Let me make this very clear—90% of our Nigerian pastors will not get away with what they do in Nigeria outside Nigeria. The kind of Christianity they practice? If they try it abroad, their church will close in a year.”
“This Isn’t the First Time”
Tacha didn’t stop at the current incident. She brought up a previous allegation involving Pastor Adefarasin allegedly smashing the windscreen of a bus in traffic—yet another example she says illustrates the cleric’s “pattern of aggression.”
“Anybody holding a phone now is aggressive? This selective hypocrisy is crazy. Let’s stop being hypocrites.”
Public Reaction
While some social media users have praised Tacha for speaking truth to power, others argue that her tone was disrespectful. Still, her comments have amplified the broader conversation about accountability among religious leaders and the blind loyalty often seen within Nigerian church communities.
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Tacha has once again sparked an uncomfortable but necessary national conversation—and she’s not backing down anytime soon.
