Delta Governor’s Aide Defends Pastor Jerry Eze After Online Backlash Over Alex Ekubo’s Death Prayers

Public debate has erupted online following criticism directed at Jerry Eze after a resurfaced video showed him praying for late Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo before his death.

The controversy began after social media users mocked the pastor over claims that prayers offered during Ekubo’s illness could not prevent his passing, despite his prolonged battle with cancer.

Ekubo’s death earlier this week had already triggered widespread mourning across Nigeria’s entertainment industry, with tributes pouring in from colleagues, fans, and public figures.

Amid the backlash, Mr Ossai Success, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor, publicly defended the cleric, describing the criticism as unfair and insensitive.

In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Ossai said it was wrong to ridicule a man of God for praying for healing, stressing that faith and medical outcomes are not always directly linked.

He argued that the fact that prayers were offered does not invalidate belief in miracles or divine intervention.

Ossai further maintained that the outcome of illness should not be used to question spiritual efforts, insisting that “God knows what is best” in every situation.

The aide also warned against what he described as growing online culture of mockery, urging Nigerians to be more considerate when reacting to sensitive issues such as death and illness.

The incident has reignited broader conversations about faith, expectations of religious leaders, and the intersection between spirituality and medical realities in Nigeria’s public discourse.