BY GRACE ZIGAH
Bishop Daniel Obinim has declared that his marriage to gospel musician Florence Obinim has not officially collapsed, but insists he will not return to their matrimonial home unless she agrees to cut ties with people he considers his enemies.
The founder of the International God’s Way Church made the remarks during a church sermon, where he discussed aspects of the marital dispute and referred to statements he said were contained in court documents concerning their separation.
According to Obinim, Florence remains in their matrimonial home while he is the one who moved out. He argued that their separation does not automatically mean the marriage has legally ended.
“My marriage has not collapsed. The woman is still in my house. When this matter was presented to court and we were reading the documents, the woman said she’s still living in her matrimonial home,” he said.
His comments offer a fresh account of the ongoing dispute, which has attracted public attention following reports of the couple’s marital difficulties and legal proceedings.
‘Florence Remains Committed to the Marriage’
During his sermon, the preacher claimed that Florence had told the court she remained committed to the marriage despite his decision to leave their home.
He further alleged that she had asked members of her family to inform him that she was aware he had packed his belongings and moved out.
Based on his interpretation of the situation, Obinim suggested that a judge could ask him to return to the matrimonial home because the marriage had not been formally dissolved.
However, he made it clear that he would resist any such directive if his conditions for reconciliation were not met.
“Definitely, if we should appear before the judge, he would just say I should return to my marriage. I will also be asked if I will agree to go back, but I will tell the judge I will never return to the house,” he stated.
Obinim identified his principal condition for reconciliation as Florence’s willingness to distance herself from individuals he considers his enemies.
The preacher said he would ask the court to require his wife to sign a bond pledging not to associate with those people.
He maintained that any decision to return to the matrimonial home would depend on her acceptance of that demand.
“Even if I consider going back, it will be on the condition that she stays away from the people she has gotten close to. If she won’t do that, then the marriage should be cancelled as soon as possible,” he said.
The pastor did not identify the individuals he considers his enemies in the account provided, nor did he explain in detail why he believes Florence should cut ties with them.
Obinim Threatens Never to Return if Agreement Is Broken
The preacher further stated that if Florence accepted his condition, he would want the proposed undertaking formally documented.
He warned that if she signed the bond but subsequently resumed contact with the individuals in question, he would leave the matrimonial home again and refuse to return.
“If she agrees to stay away from them, I will tell the judge to let her sign a bond that she will never go close to my enemies, and if she does, I will pack out again and never return,” he declared.
The comments suggest that Obinim is linking the future of the marriage to an agreement governing whom his wife can associate with.
However, his statements reflect his personal position as presented during the sermon. The available account does not establish whether a court has considered or approved the proposed bond, or whether such a condition forms part of any existing court order.
Marriage Dispute Remains Unresolved
Obinim’s latest comments add another development to the public discussion surrounding his marriage to Florence, whose career as a gospel musician has also kept the relationship in the public eye.
While the preacher insists that the marriage has not officially ended, his declaration that he would rather see it dissolved than return without his conditions being met highlights the difficulties facing any potential reconciliation.
