The Nigerian gospel music scene has been buzzing, and this time the spotlight is on fast-rising singer Ebuka Hillary, popularly known as Ebuka Songs. The young star, celebrated for his spirit-filled worship sessions and viral hits, found himself at the centre of controversy after a TikTok livestream with popular content creator Peller took an unexpected turn. What seemed like a casual broadcast quickly spiralled into one of the most talked-about incidents in gospel circles this year.
It all began in July when Ebuka hosted Peller at his home. During the livestream, Peller began speaking in tongues and delivering prophetic words, leaving viewers both stunned and divided. While some fans found the moment amusing or even inspiring, a large section of the Christian community was not impressed. Critics argued that the session looked more like comedy than ministry, and before long the backlash grew louder, with respected ministers joining the conversation.
One of the most vocal critics was Pastor Kesiena Esiri of the Remnant Christian Network, who did not mince words. He accused Ebuka Songs of trivialising sacred spiritual practices and questioned whether the young singer was straying from the true calling of gospel music. Those comments cut deep, and things quickly escalated online as fans, bloggers, and fellow ministers took sides.
Ebuka’s initial reaction didn’t help calm the storm. In a fiery response during one of his ministrations, he defended himself by quoting scripture and insisting he remained true to his mission. That bold stance only poured fuel on the fire, with some praising his confidence while others accused him of lacking humility. Soon, fellow gospel names like Deacon Famous and Testimony Jaga added their voices, hinting that Ebuka had more to learn about handling criticism in ministry.
But on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, Ebuka Songs made the move many had been waiting for, he apologised. In a heartfelt video message shared publicly, the singer admitted he might have offended people both with the livestream and his reaction to critics. His words were measured and sincere: “If there is anybody who was offended by that action, I apologise. And then my reaction as well, I apologise. That was never my intention.” He went on to thank those who stood by him during the uproar, urging his followers to stay focused on God rather than drama.
Reactions to his apology have been mixed, though largely positive. Many fans flooded his comment section with words of encouragement, saying they respected him even more for humbling himself. Some insisted the apology was unnecessary, arguing that the entire episode was overblown gossip. Others, however, noted that the gesture was timely and wise, showing that Ebuka is still grounded despite his rising fame. A few even turned the tables, calling on Pastor Esiri to also apologise for labelling the young singer a fake minister.
The entire saga has left the gospel community reflecting on the thin line between faith, fame, and entertainment in the age of social media. Ebuka Songs may have stumbled into controversy, but his quick rise and willingness to acknowledge his missteps suggest that his journey is only just beginning. Whether this incident will hurt or help his career remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: in a world where every moment can go viral, even gospel ministers are not immune to the heat of public opinion.
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