Pastor Kesiena Esiri has publicly defended Apostle Arome Osayi, who has recently been at the center of controversy following criticism of his messages and revelations. The backlash intensified after Ratel President Martins Vincent Oste called out Apostle Osayi for his statements regarding Nigeria, sparking widespread debate among the public and within religious circles.

In a video posted on Instagram on October 8, 2026, Pastor Esiri framed the situation not as a crisis but as a moment of celebration for the Christian community. He emphasized that the core issue driving the criticism is that Apostle Osayi spoke on behalf of God, which he believes should not be a source of shame.

Pastor Esiri highlighted the absence of any scandal related to Apostle Osayi, contrasting the current situation with the typical controversies that often plague Nigerian clergymen. He stated, "The only problem all of you have with Apostle is that he spoke for God. Is it not a glorious thing that you throw him up, you throw him down, you throw him to the left, you throw him to the right? You cannot find any scandalous thing in this."

He further remarked on the significance of Apostle Osayi trending for three consecutive weeks without any allegations of sexual misconduct or financial impropriety. Esiri expressed gratitude for this fact, noting that it is a rarity in the religious space. "We are not mourning. We are in celebratory mood. That one from amongst us was pig. And for the first time, trending for three weeks on the internet, we are not hearing of voice calls from WhatsApp or looking for prostitutes. We are not hearing that one girl from one country came and said, he used to sleep with me. We are not hearing that he stole church money," he added.

The pastor's defense has garnered significant attention, resonating with many viewers who appreciated his perspective on the nature of public discourse surrounding religious figures in Nigeria. As Apostle Osayi continues to trend, the conversation around his messages and the reactions they provoke remains a hot topic among both supporters and critics alike.