Emmanuel Iren, founder and Senior Pastor of Celebration Church International (CCI), has issued a public statement in response to the backlash he received over his criticism of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party in the 2023 elections. Iren’s comments, made earlier this week, took issue with Obi’s suggestion that Nigeria needs more night shifts rather than night vigils to boost productivity and economic development.
Obi, during a recent campaign appearance, proposed that instead of the traditional religious night vigils, Nigerians should consider more night shifts as a way to address the country’s economic challenges…CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
He argued that adopting night shifts would increase working hours and improve the nation’s productivity. The statement quickly sparked a widespread debate, with many social media users reacting to Obi’s suggestion.
In his response, Pastor Iren criticized Obi’s position, stating that it undermined the spiritual value of night vigils, which are a deeply ingrained practice for many Nigerians. “Nigerians should not have to choose between their faith and their work,” Iren said in his initial remarks. “Night vigils are a vital part of our spiritual and cultural practices, and reducing them to an economic discussion is short-sighted.”
The response from the public was polarized. While some supported Iren’s viewpoint, many Nigerians took to social media to defend Obi’s suggestion, arguing that it was a practical proposal for a country struggling with economic challenges. “What’s wrong with working night shifts to improve the economy?” one social media user commented. “Obi is just being pragmatic.” Others voiced frustration with Iren’s critique, calling it a misinterpretation of Obi’s intentions.
Acknowledging the controversy, Pastor Iren released a follow-up statement aimed at clarifying his position. He stressed that his comments were not intended as a personal attack on Peter Obi but were meant to address the broader issue of balancing religious practices with national development. “Let me be clear,” Iren said. “My disagreement with Obi’s statement is not a personal attack. It’s about the fundamental question of how we balance our spiritual and economic lives as a nation.”
In his statement, Iren also took the opportunity to apologize for any offense caused by his remarks. “I deeply regret if my comments have hurt or offended anyone,” he said. “That was never my intention. I believe in open dialogue, and I am always open to learning from different perspectives. I apologize to all Nigerians who may have been upset by my words.”.…CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
