Pastor Emmanuel Iren has publicly criticized Peter Obi’s recent suggestion to transform religious night vigils into work night shifts, calling the recommendation “misguided.”
In his response, Iren argued that many Nigerians attend night vigils not due to their religious fervor alone but because of a lack of job opportunities, adding that the issue goes beyond mere devotion.
Iren questioned Obi’s stance, asking if he would similarly criticize those who spend their time at the gym or socializing with friends. He also suggested that the government should focus on creating more job opportunities rather than targeting religious practices, accusing Obi of “gaslighting” Nigerians who rely on prayer as a form of solace amid economic hardship.
Watch the video below;
https://x.com/LawrenceOkoroPG/status/1855924912470302856?t=nbO3vpJb_dcaziCR04ZY7w&s=19
Obi’s initial comments arose from his concerns about Nigeria’s high poverty rate and low productivity, which he attributed to what he sees as a national preoccupation with politics and religion. He suggested that working through the night could be more productive than attending night vigils.
Pastor Iren, however, countered that if the government provided sufficient employment opportunities, Nigerians would not need to depend on vigils to cope with their financial struggles.
