Popular Nigerian TikTok influencer Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, has vowed to sue Pastor Kesiena Esiri of Remnant Christian Network after the pastor accused him and his girlfriend, Jarvis, of negatively influencing Nigerian youth and causing academic failures in the recent JAMB examinations.
Pastor Kesiena, during a church sermon, claimed that young people spend excessive time watching Peller’s content and that his lifestyle with Jarvis—whom he is not married to—promotes immoral behavior. The pastor suggested this influence contributed to the poor performance of his church members’ children in JAMB.
Reacting on TikTok, a stunned Peller denied responsibility for the academic failures, emphasizing that no one is forced to watch his content. He accused the pastor of using their names to manipulate church members into giving more offerings and declared his intention to take legal action for defamation.
The video of Peller’s response quickly went viral, sparking mixed reactions online. Many supported Peller for standing up against what they saw as unfair blame, while others advised him to focus on his career instead of engaging in controversy.
This incident highlights ongoing debates about the impact of social media influencers on youth behavior and academic performance in Nigeria.
