Founder of Salvation Ministries in Port Harcourt Pastor David Ibiyeomie has addressed reports about his collection of luxury wristwatches, saying the pieces are worth over $2 million.
The controversy followed a report listing some of the watches owned by prominent Nigerians, valuing them between N20 million and N140 million.
Pastor Ibiyeomie, however, said the watches discussed online represent only a small portion of his collection.
In a sermon that went viral on Friday, the cleric explained that he does not purchase the watches himself.
“A young man once gifted me watches worth $2 million. He loves watches and felt led by God to give them to me,” Ibiyeomie said.
He added that he had not worn half of the watches in his possession and dismissed the online scrutiny, describing critics as “wasting their time.”
He also linked the gifts to the concept of “Kingdom wealth,” saying being blessed by God naturally attracts such offerings.
Videos circulating online show Ibiyeomie wearing luxury timepieces, including a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date reportedly worth N150 million, a white gold Rolex Day-Date valued at N70 million and a Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Automatic said to be worth N80 million.
“I repeatedly asked the young man whether the watches were meant for God or for me, and he insisted that God directed him to give them to me,” Ibiyeomie stated.
“My focus remains on ministry and solving problems for others, not on these gifts.”
The pastor’s clarification comes after social media reactions to the report, with some users questioning the display of wealth among religious leaders.
