OPM General Overseer Apologizes After Sparking Outrage with Marriage Proposal for Autistic Adopted Son

Chibuzor Chinyere, the general overseer of Omega Power Ministry, has issued an apology following intense social media backlash over a controversial post seeking a wife for his adopted autistic son.

The controversy began when the cleric took to Facebook, sharing a photo of himself with the young man, identified as Aboy.

In the post, Chinyere offered significant financial incentives and lifelong benefits to any woman willing to marry his son, whom he explained had been abandoned at his church gate by unknown parents.

The pastor stipulated that the prospective wife could be a single mother or an older woman but emphasized that she must not be autistic.

“Marry him and get benefits. Since the unknown parents dump him at my gate, he has been growing to become a man. Any lady that accepts to marry him. All marrital rites would be paid,” Chinyere wrote in the original post.

He went on to list the extensive rewards for the arrangement.

“Free accommodation for life, monthly salary for life, as house shall be built for the 2 couples of them. Free medical for both couples for life, vacation overseas for both couples.

“She can be a single mother, a grand mother etc. But she must not be autistic and many other huge financial benefits,” he added.

The proposal immediately triggered swift outrage across social media platforms. Critics condemned the pastor’s approach, describing it as transactional and highly insensitive.

“This is not right at all. Marriage isn’t a transaction or incentives,” one social media user wrote on X.

Another user pointed out a perceived double standard, stating, “If he were a woman, they wouldn’t do this to get her a husband. Women have suffered”.

In response to the heavy criticism, Chinyere returned to Facebook to apologize, stating he had not anticipated that the proposal would offend women.

He defended his intentions by noting that it is not uncommon for individuals with autism to get married.

Providing further context, the cleric explained that he currently houses over 500 abandoned children.

He described Aboy’s specific situation as uniquely challenging because the boy cannot speak and does not understand his physical development or emerging sexual urges.

Chinyere expressed concern about the safety of the other children in his care due to this situation.

“Apologies to all ladies, I never knew it hurt you like this. If you google the internet you will find many autistic men marrying normal ladies, it’s not a crime. But am sorry to our beautiful feel embarrassed by my proposal,” Chinyere stated in his follow up post.

The pastor outlined the difficult options he considered before making the public plea. He stated he could not abandon the boy, nor could he arrange for someone to satisfy the boy’s needs outside of marriage, as he considers that a sin.

“So Aboy’s case was because of compassion. When I observed this uncontrollable urge for sex on him and him not understanding what is happening to his body, I wipe for him,” he explained.

Chinyere concluded his explanation by detailing his chosen third option. “Option 3, make it legal by paying bride price of a grand mother or any advanced lady.

“That would be feeding, clothing him and taking care of his sexual needs Send them overseas for vacation. Build house on there both names for them. Place her on salary for life,” he said.