Joshua Bamiloye, son of the prominent Nigerian evangelist Mike Bamiloye, has criticized Peter Obi’s recent remarks regarding church vigils, labeling them as “misguided” and “offensive.”

During an episode of the Honest Bunch Podcast, Obi suggested that Nigeria should prioritize productivity by limiting church night vigils, which he argued contribute to “breathing poverty.” In response, Joshua took to X to voice his disagreement, asserting that targeting vigils distracts from more significant systemic issues at play.

He pointed out that vigils usually occur on Friday nights, right before the weekend, and questioned why other social events, like comedy shows and concerts, are not held to the same scrutiny.

“Are vigils really the cause of Nigeria’s lack of productivity? Blaming church attendance for the nation’s challenges reflects a misguided mentality and is, frankly, insulting,” he stated.

“Vigils are typically held on Fridays. If we are serious about productivity, should we also prohibit recreational activities, comedy performances, and concerts—or even all social gatherings?” he continued.

He concluded by expressing concern that the intense heat may have clouded some people’s judgment, preventing them from recognizing and addressing the actual issues.