Pastor Shola Okodugha has advised women in abusive marriages to prioritise their safety and walk away from harmful relationships rather than risk losing their lives in the name of marriage.
Speaking during a discussion on marriage and separation, the cleric acknowledged that divorce was not part of God’s original plan but stressed that people should not remain in abusive relationships because of societal expectations or fear of being judged.
“If you ever get a divorce, you carry it with your full chest,” he said.
According to him, divorce does not mean the end of one’s life, noting that some people have gone on to rebuild their lives and find happiness after separation.
“I have seen people who those things happen to, they bounce back better,” he added.
The pastor particularly warned women against enduring physical violence in marriage, urging them not to continue seeking God’s direction while exposing themselves to life-threatening situations.
He described different forms of physical attacks, including slapping and punching, as warning signs that should not be ignored.
“Once they’ve turned you into Tai Chi, don’t even pray. Don’t say God, what is your will concerning this? Before you die and somebody else will collect,” he warned.
Okodugha further stressed that women should understand that their partners could move on and remarry even after their deaths.
“And let me tell you something, if you die, the man will remarry. And somebody else will come and collect your place. Better leave,” he added.
He also explained that abuse is not limited to physical violence, urging people to recognise persistent harmful patterns in their relationships, especially after making repeated efforts to resolve the problems.
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