Peter Obi denies calling for dismantling of churches

Peter Obi, the leader of Nigeria’s Labour Party (LP), has refuted claims that he advocated for dismantling of churches in Nigeria, explaining that his statements were misinterpreted in a recent media interview.

Obi clarified his position on Sunday, November 3, 2024, through his media team, the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), stressing that his message was distorted to appear controversial.

In a statement, POMR addressed the misrepresentation, noting, “The headline given to the interview significantly twisted Obi’s message, distorting it to serve a mischievous end.” They emphasized that Obi, known for his faith and respect for religion, sought to highlight the importance of balancing prayer with hard work.

The media team pointed to the Labour Party leader’s reference to biblical passages, such as James 2:14—”Faith without works is unhelpful”—and James 2:24—”a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” Obi argued that worship should complement hard work, not replace it. He used this message to encourage a shift in Nigeria’s culture, suggesting that worship practices should focus on action and productivity.

In the interview, Obi mentioned “turning night vigils into productive nights,” intending to underscore the value of balancing spiritual devotion with economic activities. According to POMR, his message was aimed at promoting the importance of diligent work as an essential part of faith, using examples from scripture to reinforce his perspective. “Even Jesus Christ chose disciples who were working—fishermen, tax collectors—not idle people,” the statement noted, adding that “Proverbs 14:23 teaches that ‘All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.’”

The statement went on to address what Obi sees as an imbalance in some religious communities, where work is sometimes overshadowed by prayer. Obi cited his campaign’s focus on moving Nigeria “from consumption to production” and highlighted that economic progress requires a shift toward productivity and active contribution.

Clarifying his stance further, POMR said Obi’s remarks about politics and church practices “being dismantled” were intended to call for a productive mindset, not an attack on religious institutions. “All he did was highlight what needs improvement in our worship culture to align faith with hard work for a better Nigeria,” POMR concluded.

This clarification from Obi’s media team is aimed at dispelling any misunderstandings, encouraging Nigerians to embrace both spiritual commitment and a strong work ethic in building the nation.