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
— #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
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
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
ENDOyedepo 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
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