Peter Obi Backtracks, Says Comments on Church Vigils Were Misinterpreted

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 election, has responded to backlash over his recent remarks on church vigils, which he says have been misinterpreted. Obi clarified that his suggestion to shift focus from prolonged church services to productive activities at night was misunderstood and taken out of context.

The controversy began after Obi’s appearance on the “Honest Bunch” podcast, released on Saturday, where he discussed what he perceives as Nigeria’s overemphasis on religion and politics, which he argues contributes to the country’s poverty and underdevelopment. During the interview, he suggested that church vigils be reconsidered in favor of “night shifts,” stressing that excessive time in church throughout the week could hinder productivity.

The remarks triggered widespread debate across Nigeria, with many viewing Obi’s comments as an infringement on religious traditions. In response, Obi issued a statement on Sunday through his media aide, Ibrahim Umar, where he refuted claims that he was calling for the dismantling of church services.

The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to a huge twist in his recent media interview, suggesting falsely that he called for the dismantling of churches in Nigeria. This misrepresentation has completely overturned the meaning of Obi’s message, leading to unwarranted criticism.”

Obi’s statement further emphasized that he is a person of faith who respects all religions, and that his comments were intended to highlight the need for a balance between prayer and productive work. He referenced the biblical teaching of Apostle James, noting, “Faith without works is unhelpful.” He explained that his suggestion to “turn night vigils into production nights” was a metaphor for integrating hard work with worship.

“Even Jesus chose his disciples not while they were praying but while they were working—as fishermen, tax collectors, and more,” the statement continued. Obi argued that Nigerians should focus on a blend of prayer and purposeful action rather than substituting one for the other.

Obi’s team concluded by reiterating that his comments were aimed at encouraging productivity alongside faith, not undermining religious practices. “There is no biblical evidence that Jesus blessed idleness. Nigeria’s religious communities should embrace both faith and labor in equal measure to drive positive change,” his statement read.