The General Overseer of Celebration Church International (CCI), Pastor Emmanuel Iren, responded to recent criticism of church ‘night vigils’ made by Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Gregory Obi. Obi suggested on Nedu’s Honest Bunch podcast that Nigeria should turn ‘night vigils’ into ‘evening shifts’ to boost productivity.
Obi’s remarks sparked significant debate on social media, with some users supporting his stance, while others disagreed.
In a video circulating on social media, Pastor Iren addressed the topic with his congregation, expressing “profound respect” for Obi but firmly opposing the idea. He clarified that no church in Nigeria holds a night vigil every day.
“Every day on the internet, you see someone saying instead of spending all this time in church having vigils every day.
“Some might have vigils every day for a season, but no church has vigils every day,” he stated.
He added, “Please don’t get me wrong, I have profound respect for the person who said this, it is part of my privileged rules in Christ and in the body of Christ to set the records straight in some issues like this.
“Do you realise that if you saw someone who goes to the gym every day, you wouldn’t think he’s wasting economic hours, don’t you see that the bias is hidden?
“If you saw someone who hung out with his friend thrice a week you would say it’s work-life balance, but someone who goes to church thrice a week, you’d say we need to be more productive as a nation.
“First and foremost, it’s the gaslighting for me. Nobody who has been in government past or present has the right to make such a comment.
“For God’s sake, if the people don’t go to work, have you provided jobs for them?”
The clergyman further stated, “I believe in productivity but please, don’t let anyone talk down on your devotion, your relationship with the Lord, protect it with all you have, don’t let anyone talk you out of your covering, prayer brought you here, stick to it o.”