Church members and other well-wishers hoping the matrimonial squabble between popular televangelist, Chris Oyakhilome and his wife, Anita, would be resolved in no time should forget it as Mrs. Oyakhilome has ruled out the possibility of ever reconciling with her estranged husband. Mrs Oyakhilome Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES, through her lawyers, Mrs Oyakhilome said her relationship with Pastor Chris had terribly degenerated that there is no room for any reconciliation or out-of-court settlement.
This newspaper had contacted Mrs. Oyakhilome through her lawyers, Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors; after news broke that she had filed for divorce, to enquire whether any out-of-court settlement option was being explored. In their response Tuesday, her attorneys said there was no chance the estranged couple would ever live as husband and wife again. “It is with great sadness that our client, Pastor Anita Oyakhilome, has come to the conclusion that her marriage to Pastor Christian Oyakhilome has irretrievably broken down and regrettably there is no hope of any reconciliation,” said Stephen Goddard, Business Development Manager of Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors. From early this year, there had been speculation that the marriage between Mr Oyakhilome, the founder of Believers Love World (aka Christ Embassy), and his wife, who is also Vice-president of the ministry, was collapsing. Some church members even set up a Facebook page, “Where is Rev Anita Oyakhilome”, in May dedicated to addressing the issue. The church initially denied reports that the couples were estranged and possibly divorcing. But TheCable news website reported on August 29 that Mrs. Oyakhilome had filed for divorce since April 9, accusing Pastor Chris, as he is fondly called by his followers, of “adultery” and “unreasonable behaviour”. Pastor Chris has denied the allegations. He however warned church members against analysing his problem with his wife adding that the church is not a political party. He said his wife is a bitter and angry woman who is being influenced by bad friends who are out to seek his downfall. The pastor added that most pastors’ wives usually think they are equal to their husbands after they get married. He said his wife wanted to overpower the authorities of the elders she met when she joined the Christian ministry. As the divorce battle rages, Mrs. Oyakhilome’s profile has been pulled down from the church’s website.
