Poju Oyemade: I wrote on closure of churches before Oyedepo spoke

Poju Oyemade, senior pastor of Covenant Christian Centre, says his recent post on the closure of churches was written before David Oyedepo, presiding bishop of Living Faith Worldwide, spoke on the matter.

Oyedepo and Chris Oyakhilome, founder and president of LoveWorld Incorporated better known as Christ Embassy, had disagreed with the ban on religious gatherings in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While Oyedepo said the “voice of darkness” influenced the ban on gatherings in churches, Oyakhilome had called out pastors for complying with the government directive.

Meanwhile, in a recent post, Oyemade had taken a different position on the closure of churches, stating that “closing the doors of a physical building does not in anyway mean the closure of the anointing of the spirit from working.”

He, however, further clarified in a statement on Saturday, that his position on the matter was not a response to Oyedepo’s message on the closure of churches.

“My attention has been drawn to articles going around some websites that an article I wrote on how one can remain effective during these times was written in response to Bishop Oyedepo’s statement on the closure of churches. That assumption/inference is simply incorrect,” it read.

“Facts can easily be verified by checking time-lines. My article was written before Bishop Oyedepo spoke. I do understand that certain narratives drive traffic to websites and sowing seeds of division does attract attention.

“I will like to make it clear and on record that my article was written 48 hours before he spoke. In the article, I did emphasise that criticising other ministries and churches’ operations is not a sign of strength on one’s part, so the article contradicts the conclusions being inferred.”

Oyemade posted his comment on the closure of churches on Tuesday, while Oyedepo spoke at a church programme on Wednesday.