In a recent statement posted on his official X account, human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore has strongly criticised Pastor Olumide Emmanuel’s response to issues he raised during a recent episode of the Honest Bunch Podcast concerning prosperity preaching.
Sowore accused the pastor of failing to engage with the substance of his arguments, instead reacting with anger, curses, and theatrics. According to him, this reaction only reinforced the very points he had made.
“Rather than address the core of the argument, he resorted to anger, curses, and theatrics. But in doing so, he confirmed exactly what I said,” Sowore wrote. “He openly admitted that churches raise capital from poor members to build elite institutions such as schools, only to later separate those institutions from the church so they can survive.
In plain language, that means the very people who paid for these schools are deliberately excluded from benefiting from them. That is exploitation. In any serious economic system, this would be recognised as sweat equity. When people contribute their money, time, and faith, they deserve a stake in what is built.”
Sowore explained that the discussion centred on how some churches manage the funds contributed by their members. He claimed that many followers give sacrificially in hopes of spiritual or material blessings, yet often receive little or nothing in return. This system, he argued, facilitates the transfer of wealth from ordinary congregants to a small group of church leaders.
He further contended that this practice fosters inequality within religious institutions. While some pastors build schools, businesses, and other lavish projects, many of their members continue to struggle with basic needs. Sowore noted that this pattern has become normalised and is often defended using religious teachings.
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