Nigerians slam popular cleric for condemning Trump’s assassination attempt

Nigerians have slammed Paul Adefarasin, Founder and Senior Pastor of the House On The Rock Church, following his condemnation of the assassination attempt on former United States President, Mr Donald Trump.

Converseer reports that Trump, a presumptive nominee of the Republican Party survived an assassination attempt on Saturday as a gunman fired shots at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania.

Reports say he was rushed offstage after a bullet pierced the “upper part” of his right ear, and was later taken to the hospital for treatment and discharged.

The incident shook the world, as many world leaders, including President Joe Biden, are condemning the act.

Condemning the act on Sunday morning, Pastor Adefarasin wished Trump a speedy recovery as well as condoled with the family of the deceased spectator, saying Africa draws inspiration from the American democratic process.

“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.

“We applaud the rapid response of the Secret Service and are grateful that the assassination attempt failed. This allows Donald Trump to continue in the democratic process. We salute President Biden for condemning the assassination attempt and for his conversation with Donald 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,” Pastor Adefarasin posted on X (formerly Twitter) at about 4:51 am.

The cleric’s comment didn’t go well with many Nigerians who felt the 2023 general election recorded more violence and wasn’t democratically conducted.

READ ALSO: UNICAL commences sales of CES form for 2024/2025 session

Tackling Adefarasin, Rinu Oduala, one of the leading voices of the new generation, said: “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?”

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?

— Rinu Oduala 🔥🔫 (@SavvyRinu) July 14, 2024

Another influential youth, Olufunmilola, said:
“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.”

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 ✊🏽

— Olufunmilola (@rusticfunmi) July 14, 2024

General Snow, another social media influencer, said: “I will start by saying you are a hypocrite, and people like you discourage and undermine the growth of Christendom in Nigeria. The 2023 election came, and we saw all manner of electoral violence meted out on the Nigerian people. Scores died, and many were wounded. People were profiled based on their ethnicity, maimed, and threatened, yet not once did you say anything against it as the supposed man of God that you are.

“Recently, a building collapsed in Jos, and we lost so many children to that avoidable tragedy, yet there was no single statement from a supposed pastor. The hardship in the country has spiraled into an unimaginable phase as people can barely feed. What have you said about all these? Nothing!

“Rather, we remember you for your infamous teachings about Saul and how we should accept Tinubu! You are a hypocrite and a coat-wearing thug! Oh yes, we remember how you smashed the glasses of a danfo simply because you could.

“But look at you jumping into American elections because that’s where your interests lie. Keep supporting APC, but know that we see you for what you are: a hypocrite with nothing in you that represents the characteristics of Christ. You are just a businessman who cashes out from the gullibility of Nigerians.
Away with you! Hallelujah hustler.”

https://twitter.com/GeneralSnow_/status/1812375349126181213?t=lScfl6AyVAKZkljvrJ5oJg&s=19

“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.” – Aji Busu

“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.” – Abby

“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.” – Queen Bee

“To think that a major violence was unleashed on voters in Ikate Elegushi – right besides your church HQ. The silence was absolutely deafening and bizarre!!!” – Joseph Onuora

“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!” – Erimus