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“We Are Going to Speak But We Are Consulting to Come Up with a Robust Reply” – Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo Addresses his Flock on the Allegations by Ese Walter
In the past few days, social media has been abuzz with the ensuing discussion from the blog post written by Nigerian lawyer, and radio personality Ese Walter. {If you missed it, click here}
BellaNaija tried to contact Ese and her reply was that she would not speak to BN until Pastor Biodun responds publicly to her allegations.
For those who have not been following the responses on her blog, Ese responded on Saturday morning
esewalter
August 23, 2013 at 8:31 am
First off, good morning fellow Nigerians, Christians and who ever else is dissing or supporting on this blog. I want to state first and foremost that I never used the term “sexual abuse” in this post. I have never been sexually abused my entire life. However, I have been on about researching abuse generally because I started to realize the reason I had been how I was was because I didn’t have confidence in myself as a human being and I struggled with self esteem for as long as I can remember. Abuse is not only sexual and what I refer to here is not sexual abuse but psychological (mental and emotional), manipulation and control. These are forms of abuse and this is what I was referring to.
When I joined COZA, I didn’t know my left from my right. I was finding my way and naturally I was drawn to the word and the fact that I thought this was the one church that would help me grow. As for my then pastor Biodun, I really did see him as a god. I knew nothing about God for myself and I wasn’t reading the bible. I felt he was the one that would help me understand and grow. At the time, I had been attending church for less than three years. I will not deny the fact that I lived my life as I pleased all the while I was in University and even afterwards but like every human being knows, there comes a time when you decide to get it together.
Secondly, I am not hurting or broken anymore. The times I mentioned those in the blog, I was talking about what was happening to me at the time. By God’s grace I crawled out of the self-destructive hole I had entered. This experience drove me to dig deeper and understand grace for myself. Not only that, it made me understand how wrong it is to fear ‘men of God’ and even treat them as God. And I dare say, if I didn’t have this experience, I wouldn’t understand what it means to have a relationship with God.
I have asked God for forgiveness, I hold no grudge against Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo or anyone displaying ignorance here or elsewhere. I did what I knew to do as it regards meeting church elders. Not just pastor Flo but others and it seemed no one could talk to Pastor Biodun. As for those saying people will loose their faith, I think that would turn out for their good eventually because when you loose your faith because of man,you would then be able to seek God for yourself and find truth. After all, the bible states that He wishes that ALL men come to the knowledge of truth.
Yes we were both guilty,I have not excused myself from the role I played. I was guilty as sin, however, I have come to know better. If you know anything about low self esteem, you would understand why it went on for as long as it did. Looking back, I think I expected him to know better than me but I know better now. That being said, the whole affair ended because I put my foot down. He made all sorts of propositions to me when I returned to Nigeria but I was looking to heal and move forward.
My aim with this blog is to show other ladies who suffered same fate at his hands both in Illorin and Abuja (some of whom have emailed me but are still trapped in guilt and shame to speak up) that there is nothing to be ashamed of. The clout he has over people can cause them to do thoughtless things but in the end, it’s all out there and I am at peace with myself and with God.
For those calling me a liar, please ask Pastors Biodun Fatoyinbo and Flo if I have lied. I rest my case!!!
For many people who have said that Ese was not abused, we did a little research on the subject of abuse and found this interesting article —> {Soul Stealing} It is insightful
A lot of young people flocked to the church Common Wealth of Zion Assembly {COZA} this morning to see if they would get first hand information on the subject.
Here are some tweets from writer and blogger, Seun Salami.
David was a non-challant guy. Anything that happened to him, he would say this is good. ~ Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo #COZA
— ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
When God does things, it is never the way human beings would do it. ~ Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo #COZA — ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
God told the Israelites to keep quiet. For 7 days don’t talk ~ Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo #COZA — ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
I wouldn’t lie to you, if I was God and I was coming to the earth, my creation, forget it o, chariots! ~ Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo #COZA
— ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
When God starts making a move, it doesn’t look like it on the surface, but God knows what He is doing ~ Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo #COZA
— ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
If God tells U don’t fight for yourself, don’t fight for yourself because U will spoil what God wants to do ~ Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo #COZA — ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
You are coming out more anointed! ~ Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo #COZA — ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
If that thing is favour, it will affect envy. ~ Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo #COZA
— ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
Joseph was sold by HIS OWN BROTHERS. That was the painful part. But how many of you read that Joseph was bitter? ~ Pastor Biodun #COZA
— ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
Joseph never tried to defend himself, he just moved on ~ Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo #COZA — ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
Joseph had to bring out his p****** part to show his brothers b4 they could recognise him after his transformation ~ Pastor Biodun #COZA — ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
There is a character U must learn from me. Don’t let them call U out. Determine the terrain where U will fight. ~ Pastor Biodun #COZA
— ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
People come to me and say Pastor I want to be like you, I ask them can you handle it? ~ Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo #COZA
— ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
Tell your neighbour relax, it comes with the terrain ~ Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo #COZA — ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
If I am still a man of God, let God give you a surprise this week ~ Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo #COZA — ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
When I was in the university I was a cult boy. I was a fun loving person ~ Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo #COZA
— ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
They do not know we’ve been pastoring for nine years in the backside (before the limelight) ~ Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo #COZA
— ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
I thought being a pastor will make me poor. That is why I am not proud. ~ Pastor Biodun #COZA — ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
I’m sure you read a lot about me on twitter and social networks. You can’t imagine how many people have called me ~ Pastor Biodun #COZA — ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
Everybody is telling me don’t talk, that is the painful part ~ Pastor Biodun #COZA
— ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
One thing you can be assured of is that my wife and I love you ~ Pastor Biodun #COZA
— ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
From this pulpit, there are some things you don’t say. My destiny is not in anybody’s hands ~ Pastor Biodun #COZA — ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
When we asked God, God said be quiet. Thank you! ~ Pastor Biodun #COZA — ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
Read my lips. I know there are people here not part of our church. ~ Pastor Biodun #COZA
— ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
We are going to speak but we are consulting to come up with a robust reply ~ Pastor Biodun #COZA
— ‘Seun Salami (@SeunWrites) August 25, 2013
We will keep you updated as soon as we get wind of the robust reply from the office of the senior pastor of COZA.