As  Catholic priest in the Abuja Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Chinenye Oluoma, accuses gospel artiste Mercy Chinwo of allegedly demanding up to N10m to perform in a church, another cleric has spoken for her.

Pastor of Covenant Church, Poju Oyemade, said it was a lie that Chinwo chaeges that much.

In a video making the rounds on social media, Oluoma said Christians had made worship too expensive.

He said: “We have made religious worship expensive. If I have to bring Mercy Chinwo to come here and sing, how much will I pay her? How much does a gospel artiste of Mercy Chinwo’s status charge to come to an event or in a Church, it has reached N10m now.

This is the tragedy that we have turned Christianity into, that an artiste will come to a church and lead in ten minutes praise and worship for N10m, N5m. So if that particular artiste doesn’t sing Jesus you love me too much, that means God didn’t love you too much? And some people are asking should they be paid? Why wouldn’t you pay them? If you must bring them you must pay them because what you are bringing them for is entertainment. We have turned worship into entertainment.

We have copied the world. In those days, those who composed songs we are still using for worshipping nobody even knows them,” he said

But reacting in a tweet on Thursday, Oyemaje noted:

Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed his feeling on the attitude of his followers in terms of their responses to the views of other people.

He enjoined them to be tolerant of such and learn from others’ opinions.

Obi’s followers, especially youths who see hope in his philosophy and stand on contradictions that have crippled the country, have largely been harsh at those who support other candidates or criticise him.

One of the most recent victims in this regard is popular pastor, Poju Oyemade, who, following a massive harsh responses, had to delete a tweet in which he gave an admonition on the need to be scientific when investing faith in a project.

In some tweets on Sunday, however, Obi said: “I sincerely thank my supporters for believing in me and my commitment to building a united, secure and well-functioning Nigeria. However, I appeal once more that we should be tolerant of other people’s views, dissent and divergent opinions & possibly learn from them.

“While the frustration and anger in the country (are) understandable, we must strive to channel that energy positively in ways that will earn the support and collaboration of others.

“Even as our message continues to gain broad acceptance, there are some we still need to work to convince. In expressing ourselves, we should do so with grace so as not to precipitately shut doors to future collaborations on sustainable nation-building. -PO.”

What Oyemade said:

“Faith is not just blind belief or hoping for a miracle. Faith sees. Faith has her eyes opened and possesses the evidence upon which it builds its belief. Faith prepares long, sometimes for years just as Joseph did for the years of famine. Faith counts the cost before embarking.

“Without having real evidence upon which you are acting nor preparation for the task, recognising real obstacles that lie ahead and making concrete plans, one is just being delusional about the outcome. The enthusiasm of the youth must not be wasted on poorly planned projects.

“Noah spent months/years planning for the flood & he was operating in faith. Jesus said no man goes to battle without taking stock first nor lays the foundation of a tower without counting the cost first lest he will be mocked. Our faith is intelligent it doesn’t live in denial.”

Founder and Pastor of the Covenant Church, Poju Oyemade, has recalled how some men of the SARS police arrested and detained his wife, noting that, about a year after, he still could not understand the reason they gave.

Oyemade made this kown in a Facebook post in which he reflected on the ongoing protests against police brutality.

He noted: “Let me start with my personal experience with the SARS group also. Sometime last year, I got a call from my wife that she had been arrested and taken to the police station.

“I was heading for a service somewhere when I had to rush to where she was. I found what the officer said quite flimsy and to date don’t understand it.

“Things were worked out easily because on appearing at the place there was personal recognition as people were greeting me ‘pastor welcome’.

“Thinking back, if I didn’t have that social capital, things would have been quite rough. So I do understand what a young person may have to face regularly from such encounters. It can be dehumanising and humiliating not to talk about stories of people who say they were dispossessed of money etc.

“The government may have in an unprecedented manner come out to verbally assent to the requests of the movement but what the government needs to realise is what they ask for now is action; definite steps taken to show commitment to their words.

“They have been here before they say, they have seen promises broken, they want actual reform. They ask that simple steps be taken to show it is different this time. Things like bringing to book the officers who allegedly shot at the peaceful protesters should have happened.

“They say there are peaceful protesters who are still locked up. They need action.”

“At the heart of this is that this generation is tired of being led this way. Those in leadership must know this generation requires a more accountable system of leadership which are consistent with the ideals of a democratic government,” Oyemade added.