Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke, is the subject of yet another controversy on social media, writes JAYNE AUGOYE
A video and photographs showing Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke, undergoing deliverance at the Synagogue Church of All Nations went viral on Sunday. In the video, the actor is seen rolling all over the floor as ‘demons and evil spirit’ are cast out of him by a minister in the church.
Although it is unclear when the event took place, it was broadcast at the weekend on the church’s cable television channel, Emmanuel TV. Later, the church went on to explain why the actor had to undergo deliverance on its Facebook page.
Four days after the news of the event went viral on the Internet, there have been mixed reactions from many movie fans across the country.
About 2000 fans commented on a statement posted on the church’s Facebook account.
The statement reads in part, “..As Wise Man Daniel ministered prayer in Jesus’ name, Nollywood actor Jim Iyke, of international fame, was arrested by the power of the Holy Spirit. The evil spirit that had tormented his life for many years began to manifest, confessing that it was the cause of his setback and disappointment. It (evil spirit) confessed that it was the biggest and that it was only God’s grace that had kept him (Jim).”
Just as some persons dismissed the story as a mere ‘film trick’, a two-minute video recording of what transpired in the church surfaced online. The result has been a blend of spiteful and complimentary remarks targeted at the actor and the ministers of the Synagogue Church.
Some eye witnesses commenting on major social media accounts insist that the actor did not set out to be delivered of any ‘evil spirit’ in the first place. They say Jim Iyke only accompanied his mother to the church when a pastor spotted him and subsequently set out to exorcise the ‘demon that had plagued him’ for many years.
However, the actors’ bewildered fans and colleagues have since spoken out against the video and the rumours. Others, who have yet to fully comprehend what happened, have commented on the subject on various social networks.
Some of the respondents are movie fans resident outside the country. Lampooning the actor on his Twitter account, a popular Ghanaian radio presenter, Kwame Bee’, inferred that it was all a ploy by Iyke to win the heart of Ghanaian actress, Nadia Buari, who was rumoured to be his love interest.
Tweeting in Pidgin English, he wrote, “As Nadia chop Jim Iyke im money finish, way he nod dey get payroll for Naija movie. Na im he start dey act for Emmanuel TV,…oh Nana Eyema help us. Sic.”
Also, controversial Nigerian adult film actress, Afrocandy, who is based in the US, joined the debate on Twitter. She said, “Na waah for our actors, Jim Iyke took his stunt to the altar. I wonder how much he got paid for this ‘movie.’ Nevertheless, he is a very good actor.”
But some of Iyke’s colleagues, including the outspoken filmmaker, Charles Novia and former president of the Actor’s Guild of Nigeria, Segun Arinze, are not eager to treat the matter lightly.
In a purported Blackberry broadcast message, Arinze expressed doubt about the origin of the video. He was quoted as saying, “This Jim Iyke’s deliverance video at the Synagogue trending looks too contrived. It’s a big embarrassment. Has anyone ever seen demons come out live and speak? Una fit stand demons? Una carry Nollywood enter Church, abi? How much did he get paid? I’m just wondering. Make una stop all these nonsense play. Haba, this is stranger than fiction!”
In a series of tweets, Novia said, “So, Jim Iyke got ‘delivered’ of an evil demon in a popular church recently? Chai! Strange things happen. And after Jim Iyke’s deliverance, the ‘new’ Jim Iyke barked out at his PA about his shoes coming off his legs? All I can say is that ‘whatever floats your boat, brother’. Better send those poor women you have dated to the same church for the same.”
Surprisingly, Iyke, appears to have chosen to remain silent amid increasing public criticism. Occasionally he lets some tweets that have further heightened the suspense.
One of his messages read, “Lol, witchcraft?! It is imperative that I underscore the fact that some people are oblivious of what transpired [during my deliverance]. Ignorance is no excuse. Tailor your opinion to who you know.”
Another tweet read, “Met more miserable billionaires than unhappy income earners. Success is relative. I want it wholesome. It is either your bond or free. #Urchoice. It’s beautiful that is the least I can say. Nothing else truly matters. Absolutely nothing! God lives, whether you are a believer or not. #bless.
“About 99 per cent of celebrities wake up daily on wet pillows with fat bank accounts behind Versace shades. Christ’s made me part of the one per cent. Its profoundly disturbing to certain people.”
Punch
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