Daddy Freeze Says He Received Death Threats for Criticising Nigerian Pastors

Media personality Ifedayo Olarinde, popularly known as Daddy Freeze, has revealed that his outspoken stance against Nigerian pastors once put his life – and the safety of his family – at risk.

Speaking on a recent episode of The Honest Bunch podcast, where he now serves as co-host, Daddy Freeze disclosed that he received death threats nearly a decade ago after publicly challenging the doctrines and conduct of several prominent Christian clerics in the country.

According to him, the backlash extended beyond verbal attacks. “I got death threats. Not just me – my family members were also targeted,” he said.

Daddy Freeze, a long-time critic of prosperity preaching and what he describes as unchecked pastoral authority, said his turning point came after his divorce. He explained that his then-pastor tried to reconcile him with his ex-wife, but when he refused, the church leadership responded by sidelining him.

“I was no longer allowed to serve or even sit in the front row,” he said. “Meanwhile, Jesus didn’t condemn the woman at the well who had five husbands. I only had one divorce, but my church treated me like a criminal.”

Following his excommunication, Freeze said he turned to the scriptures – studying original texts in Hebrew and Greek – which led to a deeper understanding of biblical teachings and a growing disillusionment with what he described as flawed interpretations common in Nigerian churches.

“You can’t study scripture deeply for a year and still find the average Nigerian pastor credible,” he said bluntly.

Reflecting on the impact of his outspokenness, he said his vocal criticism helped spark a broader push for accountability in Nigerian churches. “If anyone has borne the brunt of this movement, it’s me. But that work laid the foundation for what we see today – people asking hard questions and holding pastors accountable.”

Daddy Freeze, who previously anchored prime-time radio shows, has built a large online following through his live teachings and debates, often challenging established religious norms in Nigeria.