David Oyedepo, founder of the Living Faith Worldwide, has provoked outrage on social media platforms for holding Sunday service despite the ban on large gatherings in Lagos and some parts of the country.
The church headquarters is situated at Ota, along the Lagos-Ogun expressway.
In a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus in the state, Kunle Somorin, chief press secretary to Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun state, had announced the ban on gatherings of more than 50 persons.
“The restriction has to be enforced without prejudice to people’s fundamental rights to association and movement because the safety of our people and their welfare are priorities that cannot be toyed with,” he said.
“The government will continue to engage all the stakeholders including religious leaders to sensitise the populace on the need to maintain social distance and collective effort to combat the pandemic.”
But on Sunday, Oyedepo, however, flouted the directives.
From the live stream of the service via the church’s YouTube channel, it was observed that thousands of worshipers gathered inside the church auditorium for service.
This has however sparked outrage on social media platforms especially Twitter where users expressed their annoyance at the perceived defiance of the cleric to the law of the land.
Quite a number of users have also called on the state government to shut down the church.
“People like Oyedepo need to be told in PLAIN CLEAR terms he is NOT above the Law. He has to stop services at Canaanland. If Adeboye and others can obey, who does he think that he is? NO man or entity is bigger than the Government. Those services must stop,” a Twitter user said.
“Ogun State Government actually posted this three days ago. Pastor Oyedepo has flouted basic and very simple instructions from the government. CAN is not above a State Government, so that is not a good excuse. This is not what the bible teaches. We should lead by example,” another user tweeted.
Here is what some Nigerians had to say:
People like Oyedepo need to be told in PLAIN CLEAR terms he is NOT above the Law.
He has to stop services at Canaanland.
If Adeboye and others can obey, who does he think that he is?NO man or entity is bigger than the Government. Those services must stop.#ShutDownCanaanland
Advertisement— #OurFavOnlineDoc 🛂 (@DrOlufunmilayo) March 22, 2020
It took a global pandemic to teach us that churches that we thought were traditional such as MFM & Celestial are surprisingly more logical, while the ultra messiahs in fancy suits & private jets like Oyedepo turned out selfish & illogical to put us at health risk. Kudos to CCC. pic.twitter.com/yS7zDXrAmd
— Ayò Bánkólé (@AyoBankole) March 22, 2020
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Ogun State Goverment actually posted this three days ago. Pastor Oyedepo has flouted basic and very simple instructions from the government. CAN is not above a State Goverment, so that is not a good excuse. This is not what the bible teaches. We should lead by example. https://t.co/9IH543gEqV
— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) March 22, 2020
If I were the Governor of Ogun State, I would have enforced a quarantine of the whole church of Oyedepo today. I would have quarantined them in situ. Just lock all of them up in their church with their leader. Let them pray for miraculous food and eat manna. Honestly. I am angry
— Arinola I. Awokoya (@iyaboawokoya) March 22, 2020
We have a Pentecostal Cultism problem in Nigeria
Today is the Day I realized some people will eat charcoal if Thier cult leaders tell them too
Oyedepo has blood on his hands for ignoring Common sense.
We ignored an actual Cult problem on Sundays and see the results..
— William Ukpe (@William_Ukpe) March 22, 2020
Oyedepo spat on the government.
He organised a massive service disobeying govt today putting thousands of lives at risk. And even lambasted the govt.This is a very shameful behaviour.
This defiance sets a very bad precedent.Pls RT until Govt acts and shuts down Canaanland. pic.twitter.com/R9ByYzI8QW
— #OurFavOnlineDoc 🛂 (@DrOlufunmilayo) March 22, 2020
Oyedepo ignored the instructions of Medical experts and government held a full service today in Nigeria with more than 5,000 members. This is the same Oyedepo that locked his Church in USA, UK etc but defies order in NIGERIA.
WE ARE ONLY DOING OURSELVES. pic.twitter.com/TyqzCPfSGv
— Olayemi 🇳🇬 (@olayemi_123) March 22, 2020
Bishop Oyedepo….this is bad. Yet you abuse government.
This is very unfortunate pic.twitter.com/snudDORe9B
— Maj Gen Covenant Buhari (@CovenantBuhari) March 22, 2020
Just think about this:
When Oyedepo wife was sick,
He got her flown out of the country to get sophisticated treatment abroad.That same Oyedepo now spits on govt rules and puts the lives of thousands of people at risk.
Govt needs to act NOW and save innocent lives. #ShutItDown
— #OurFavOnlineDoc 🛂 (@DrOlufunmilayo) March 22, 2020
I am beginning to believe Oyedepo & Enenche stubbornly held services not because of tithes & offerings but just to show defiance to a government they have never hidden their dislike for.
— Mr. Kermit (@O_ssai) March 22, 2020
The same Oyedepo whose anointing couldn't heal his wife,
she had to be flown abroad for proper treatment that lasted months is the one gathering thousands under the same roof to teach them what he doesn't know.He's not my problem, my problem are the idiots sitted there. pic.twitter.com/y7NME84PO8
— ALABI OPEYEMI OLADMEJI (@alabiopeyemiola) March 22, 2020
If Ogun state Government has placed a ban on public gatherings and what happened at Winners Chapel in Canaan land still happened, then Bishop Oyedepo should face the complete wrath of the law.
You are not above the law sir, that's a terrible thing to do. Haha!
— Ayo FBI (@PureMinD__) March 22, 2020
Oyedepo locked his Church in AMERICA but defies order in NIGERIA. This is HYPOCRISY, it is satanic!
It is worrisome!
— Ayekooto (@DeeOneAyekooto) March 22, 2020
Bishop Oyedepo is very wrong to say that shutting the church is like shutting the hospital. That's a lie coined to deceive his congregation.
I can pray at home, or anywhere else, it's not same like the hospital where you must be to get healing!
I pity the ppl that believe him
— Sohnwa (@AsaAlor) March 22, 2020
When oyedepo's wife was sick with a life threatening sickness, he took her to one of the best medical facility with top notch personnels in the USA where she received treatment for almost a year. As for you the church member who stupidly went to church today. You are on your own
— Ọmọ Ọsún (@destayo67) March 22, 2020
Imagine blaming the Government for the Coronavirus when you left the Government and medical advice to follow Bishop Oyedepo.
Religion will not be the end of us in this country, Amen.
— Duke of Ibadan 🀄️ (@AsiwajuLerry) March 22, 2020
Canaan land that can take thousands. Irresponsible from Pastor Oyedepo
— Ayobami (@dondekojo) March 22, 2020
wisdom is profitable to direct 'am a winner but stayed away from service today…. Oyedepo that shut Down church In U S didn't here but did not force u to church either…. Save urself oooo… Everyone in Nigeria is selfish… U Can pray with family at home why risked it.
— simple Bosslady 👑 (@SylvanMaryann) March 22, 2020
Bishop Oyedepo locked his Winners Chapel in UK, America and other countries but dares Nigeria and ordered Winners Chapel NIGERIA to open.
Don't blame him..
Blame the people that attended.
Sense will soon fall on us as a Nation😭#COVIDー19 #Coronavius is real..
Pray in ur house— CBN Gov Akinsola Ak🇳🇬 (@cbngov_akin1) March 22, 2020
If Oyedepo is anointed truely by God, he should go to those COVID19 Isolation centres. This is not the time to quote Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God. Don’t you know you are Tempting God by making your members come to church? Obey the Lord..Go and heal the sick! @DaddyFRZ
— The VIRUS ☣ 🇳🇬🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@davies_z) March 22, 2020
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this occultist pastors are insults to Christianity , corrupt pastors like oyedepo is shame to CAN
HOHO! HE DID NOT WANT TO MISS TITHES AND OFFERINGS. BY THEIR FRUIT WE SHALL KNOW THEM. THEY SHOULD BE QUARANTIED IN THEIR CHURCH