All You Need to Know about Pastor Iren and Peter Obi’s Night Vigil Issue

Pastor Emmanuel Iren, General Overseer of Celebration Church International (CCI), has publicly responded to remarks made by Peter Gregory Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, regarding the prevalence of church night vigils in Nigeria.

Obi, speaking on Nedu’s Honest Bunch podcast recently, suggested that Nigeria should reconsider “night vigils” and turn them into “evening shifts” to boost productivity among citizens.

His comments sparked widespread debate on social media, with both supporters and critics weighing in on his perspective.

Addressing his congregation in a video that circulated widely online, Pastor Iren expressed his “profound respect” for Obi but strongly disagreed with his comments on church vigils, clarifying that no church in Nigeria holds night vigils daily.

“Every day on the internet, you see someone saying, ‘Instead of spending all this time in church, having vigils every day…’” Iren stated, highlighting what he sees as a misconception.

He emphasized that church vigils are not a constant, daily occurrence and called for a more nuanced understanding of such religious practices in the country.

What People Are Saying on Twitter

This is causing a lot of ruckus on Twitter, people are supporting both Pastor Iren and Peter Obi, while some people are totally against both.

Danee_nk said: Peter Obi made some sense. Pastor Iren has made some sense here too. The church is not the reason for the problems of Nigeria.

I’ve never had to leave call duty in the hospital to attend a vigil. If you provide people jobs, they won’t be in vigils.

pasquale_anowi: The funny thing is that peter Obi could be a better Christian than your pastor iren. Lmao

ani_berny: Let’s be truthful with ourselves, 90% of the reason people go for all these vigil and crusades are poverty induced, lack of jobs, lack of opportunities, Visa grants economic hardship.

If there were creation of sustainable jobs and good economy, pastors like this will run loss.