Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has addressed misunderstandings surrounding his recent comments about converting church vigils into productive night shifts. In a statement released by his media aide, Ibrahim Umar, Obi emphasized that his message has been misrepresented and exaggerated.

During an appearance on the Honest Bunch podcast, Obi sparked debate after suggesting that Nigeria’s excessive emphasis on religion, particularly church services held throughout the week, contributes to the nation’s ongoing poverty and lack of productivity.

Obi’s aide clarified that the intention behind Obi’s remarks was to promote a balance between faith and productive work, referencing Apostle James’ saying, “Faith without works is unhelpful.” He pointed out that Jesus Christ chose his disciples while they were engaged in work, rather than during prayer, to illustrate that faith should be complemented by action.

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Umar reassured the public that Obi holds deep respect for all religions and has a profound love for faith. The statement highlighted the importance of using religion as a tool for enhancing productivity in daily life.

“Our attention has been drawn to a huge twist in his recent media interview, saying erroneously that he called for the dismantling of churches in Nigeria. By the headline given to the interview, the import of Obi’s message has been greatly overturned and grossly distorted to serve a mischievous end,” the statement read.

Obi’s comments were intended to encourage Nigerians to integrate work with worship rather than replace one with the other. The aide noted that there is no scriptural evidence supporting the notion that idleness is blessed. Instead, Obi advocates for a collective approach where faith and work coexist, aiming to inspire a more productive society.