The founder of Grace Nation International, also known as Liberation City, Pastor Chris Okafor, has announced a temporary withdrawal from active ministerial duties.

The development comes amid public calls for the cleric to step aside following a relationship controversy involving Nollywood actress Doris Ogala. However, it remains unclear whether his decision is connected to the allegations and surrounding claims.

Pastor Okafor made the announcement during the church’s New Year service on Thursday, revealing that four pastors under his leadership would oversee services throughout January 2026.

“We have four Sundays in January, so throughout these four Sundays, Pastor Sylvester, Pastor Kelvin, Pastor Oliver, and Pastor Shadrach will minister to you and anoint you every Sunday, as they will be prophetic Sundays,” he said.

He added that the period would allow him to rest and embark on a personal spiritual retreat.

“While they are ministering, I will be resting. It will be a time for personal retreat with God and also a time for me and my wife to rest because since our wedding, we have not rested. We have not had time; we have not even had a honeymoon,” he explained.

The controversy surrounding the cleric began after a video allegedly showing him with a younger partner surfaced online. Following the incident, actress Doris Ogala and other women accused the pastor of promising marriage and engaging in intimate relationships with them.

Despite the controversy, Pastor Okafor recently married his partner in another church, reportedly amid threats by Ogala to disrupt the ceremony.

Watch him speak in the video below

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTAWhmCDu2X/?igsh=MTgxbXp0NXI0bGFlZw==