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A viral video of a Gboko-based pastor preaching from a chair hoisted high in a tree by church members has taken social media by storm, sparking heated discussions about faith, symbolism, respect for leadership, and the boundaries of religious expression in Benue State.
In the footage, widely shared by accounts including D’nnaked Elder Sughnnen Yaaya and BENUE info-pedia, the pastor—clad in a black tracksuit with white stripes—sits on an ordinary wooden chair lifted and steadied by a group of young men standing on rocky ground below a gnarled tree. Holding what appears to be a Bible, he passionately addresses Governor Hyacinth Alia directly.
From the elevated “pulpit,” the clergyman questions the governor’s critics, asking why they focus solely on perceived shortcomings while failing to acknowledge areas where the administration is making genuine efforts. A key excerpt from accompanying captions reads: “As a man of God, you failed to acknowledge where the Governor is trying? You only see the negativity?”
The unusual setting—combining physical elevation with a message of balanced judgment—has been interpreted by some as a deliberate symbolic act: rising above everyday noise to deliver a higher perspective on governance and public discourse.
Reactions online have been sharply divided. Supporters praise the pastor’s creativity, courage, and apparent show of humility in calling for fairness toward the state government. They view the dramatic delivery as a genuine prophetic appeal rooted in spiritual responsibility.
Critics, however, have dragged the scene heavily, labeling it a modern form of “human slavery,” questioning the safety of the participants, and accusing the act of being performative or attention-seeking. Others have questioned the theological or practical merit of delivering political commentary from such a precarious height, with some users asking whether the message could have been conveyed through more conventional channels.
Additional commentary from pages such as Benuevibes noted that similar scenes of church members carrying their pastors on chairs during preaching are not entirely new in certain Nigerian Pentecostal settings, where such acts are sometimes framed as demonstrations of honor, submission, and communal support. Yet the combination of the elevated tree location and the direct address to a sitting governor has made this particular instance stand out.
As of Friday afternoon, the video continued to rack up thousands of views, shares, and comments across platforms, with many users tagging state officials and calling for either the governor’s response or clarification from the pastor’s ministry.
Neither the Benue State Government nor the pastor in question has issued an official statement on the matter at the time of this report. The incident, however, highlights the increasingly creative—and sometimes theatrical—ways citizens and religious figures are using digital media to engage political leaders and influence public opinion in contemporary Nigeria.
Whether viewed as bold prophecy, risky spectacle, or genuine intercession, the Gboko tree-top sermon has undeniably captured attention and reignited conversations about leadership, accountability, and the role of faith voices in Benue’s socio-political landscape.
