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A senior aide to the Delta State Governor, Ossai Ovie Success, has publicly criticised popular cleric and relationship coach, Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo, following the revelation of the pastor’s new arm tattoo. The development has further fueled an already heated debate on social media over tattoos and Christian leadership.
Pastor Kingsley, who is the lead pastor of David Christian Centre (DCC), recently sparked widespread reactions after unveiling a tattoo on his arm bearing the biblical inscription John 3:16. The tattoo quickly went viral, drawing mixed responses from supporters and critics within and outside the Christian community.
Responding to the backlash, Pastor Kingsley defended his decision, noting that while many were focused on judging his tattoo, they failed to acknowledge the impact of the message itself. He pointed out that the gospel verse had reached millions of people within 24 hours through blogs and social media platforms.
However, Ossai Ovie Success was unimpressed by the explanation. Reacting in the pastor’s comment section, the governor’s aide made it clear that he believed there was no justification for the action, regardless of how it was framed.
“There is no justification for that tattoo, no matter how you try to twist it. I am disappointed,” Ossai wrote.
Not stopping there, Ossai took his criticism further by sharing a detailed post on his Instagram page, where he described the cleric’s action as irresponsible and misleading to the Christian community. According to him, Pastor Kingsley occupies a sensitive position as a spiritual leader and role model, particularly to young people who look up to him.
“Pastor Kingsley has sinned with his tattoo, and I am disappointed.
The tattoo is misleading to Christians community.
A pastor having a tattoo is an act of irresponsibility,” he wrote.
Ossai went on to explain why he found the development troubling, saying he was still trying to process the sight of the pastor proudly displaying his tattoo.
“I’m still trying to process the fact that Pastor Kingsley of DCC has gotten a tattoo! I just saw a video of him showcasing his new ink, and I’m honestly shocked,” he stated.
He stressed that the influence of a pastor goes beyond personal freedom, noting that such actions could easily be replicated by members of the congregation.
“As a pastor, he’s a role model to many, especially young people in the congregation. If he can have a tattoo, they’ll likely think it’s okay for them to get one too,” Ossai added.
Addressing scriptural arguments often raised in defence of tattoos, Ossai questioned what he described as selective obedience to the Bible.
“I know some people might say, ‘Leviticus 19:28 is Old Testament, so it doesn’t apply to us today.’ But wait, don’t we claim Abraham’s covenant and say we’re children of Abraham through Christ Jesus? If so, shouldn’t we obey God’s commands, including those in the Old Testament? I think it’s a bit inconsistent to pick and choose which parts of scripture to follow,” he argued.
He also referenced another Bible verse to support his position.
“And then there’s 1 Corinthians 10:23, which says, ‘You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you.’ Is getting a tattoo really beneficial for a pastor? Does it align with biblical values?” he asked.
Ossai concluded by stating that the situation would have been different if the tattoo had existed before Pastor Kingsley became a cleric.
“If he had the tattoo before becoming a pastor, that would have been a different case. I’m really disappointed in Pastor Kingsley’s decision,” he wrote.
Ossai Ovie Success is widely known for his outspoken criticism of celebrities and public figures over trending social issues. Over the years, he has publicly condemned crossdresser Bobrisky’s lifestyle, called for the rehabilitation of singer Portable, criticised actress Ini Edo over her conduct after her father’s burial, and weighed in on controversies involving Davido, Rema, 2Baba, Charles Okocha and others.
His latest comments on Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo have once again placed him at the centre of online discussions, as Nigerians remain divided over faith, personal expression and leadership responsibility.
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