The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) has refuted claims that its principal advocated for dismantling Nigeria’s church structure.
The organization described the interpretation of Mr. Obi’s recent media interview as misleading.
In a statement signed by POMR Spokesperson Ibrahim Umar in Abuja on Sunday, the Media Office clarified that there was no indication in the interview that Obi was calling for the dismantling of places of worship.
Umar stated, “We have been made aware of a significant distortion of Obi’s recent media interview, which erroneously claims he called for the dismantling of churches in Nigeria. The headline given to the interview has misrepresented the essence of Obi’s message, twisting it to serve a mischievous agenda.”
He emphasized that Obi is a man of deep faith who respects all religions. In the interview, he aimed to illustrate how faith can be more effectively integrated into people’s lives.
Obi referenced Apostle James’s words in James 2:14, stating, “Faith without works is unhelpful,” and in James 2:24, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”
When Obi mentioned turning night vigils into production nights, he highlighted the importance of worship through work. “Even Jesus Christ did not choose his 12 disciples while they were praying; he found them working—fishermen, tax collectors, and so forth,” he said.
Umar pointed out Proverbs 14:23, which states, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” He asserted that Nigerians should not substitute work for prayer, as both should coexist.
“There is no biblical evidence of Jesus blessing an idle person; instead, he consistently rewarded hard work, as seen in the Parable of the Three Servants (Matthew 25:14-30), where the servant who produced greater profit through diligent effort received the larger blessing,” Umar noted.
He added that some worship communities in Nigeria are neglecting St. James’s advice in James 1:22 to be ‘doers of the word.’
The POMR reiterated that the media’s slant on Obi’s interview contradicts its true essence and should be dismissed.
“As a leader whose campaign focuses on transitioning Nigeria from consumption to production, Obi’s message about the need for increased productivity is crucial, especially as the country grapples with declining productivity,” Umar concluded.
Obi’s key quotes from the interview included: “It’s attractive, politics and church, but it has to be dismantled,” and, “We are going to turn night vigils into night shifts so that people can be productive.” These statements seek to address issues within Nigeria’s worship culture that need to evolve for the well-being of its citizens while honoring their Creator.
