Nigerian Clergyman Odumeje Says He Will “Choose the Day” He Dies — “Nobody Will See My Remains”

Controversial Anambra-based pastor Chukwuemeka “Odùméje” Ohanaemere has once again stirred debate after telling his congregation that he will decide the day he dies  and that when he departs, “nobody will see” his body. The remarks, captured in a video circulating widely on social media, have provoked both devotion and ridicule online.

Speaking during a recent church service, Odumeje framed the statement as literal fact rather than metaphor. “I will choose the day I pass away, and nobody will see my remains,” he told worshippers in the clip now shared across Instagram and Facebook. He went on to say, repeatedly, that he “never dies” and that he will “live forever,” and has previously claimed that when his mission is complete he will “fly away” so no corpse would be found.

The preacher’s supporters described the declaration as a mark of prophetic authority, with some viewing it as spiritual truth and evidence of supernatural backing. Critics, however, dismissed the claims as theatrics or self-aggrandisement, using the clip to mock Odumeje’s long history of flamboyant performances and controversial remarks. The story has been picked up and debated by multiple Nigerian outlets and shared broadly on Instagram reels and Facebook posts.

Odumeje is no stranger to controversy. He rose to public prominence through dramatic deliverance services and viral moments, and has in the past attracted headlines for outspoken, sometimes alarming statements and behaviour. His declarations about death tap into a wider pattern in which charismatic figures make bold prophetic claims that polarise public opinion energising followers while inviting skepticism from others.

This recent proclamation echoes comments he has made before including an earlier claim that he would “fly away” at the end of his assignment, leaving no body to be found. Local media outlets tracking the story point out that such pronouncements often spark renewed online debate about the boundaries between faith, performance and responsibility among public religious leaders.

Social media reactions have ranged from awed devotion to sarcastic takes. While some commenters insist the message should be taken seriously and urge others to listen, others question the logic of “choosing” a date of death or accuse him of courting attention. The clip has been reposted widely on platforms including Instagram reels, Facebook video pages and community forums.