A thanksgiving service held at Living Faith Church in Osubi, Delta State, marking Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s three-year anniversary in office, reportedly descended into tension on Sunday after parts of the programme were turned into a political campaign moment for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 ambition, prompting several churchgoers to walk out.
The event, which also featured the distribution of relief materials such as rice, yams, cooking oil, and canned goods, was attended by government delegates and religious leaders, including guest minister Apostle Joshua Selman, according to posts circulating on social media.
Political messaging sparks backlash inside church
Eyewitness accounts shared online by a local resident identified as @sir_ejes described how the atmosphere shifted during the service when delegates allegedly used the platform to promote President Bola Tinubu’s anticipated 2027 re-election bid.
According to the posts, the shift from thanksgiving to political messaging did not sit well with some worshippers, many of whom reportedly stood up and exited the service in protest. While no verified video footage of the moment of disruption has surfaced publicly, images shared online show food items arranged as gifts and a cake-cutting ceremony under a thanksgiving banner.
Attempts by the church leadership to restore order were reportedly unsuccessful as tensions rose briefly within the congregation.
Growing concern over politics in places of worship
The incident has reignited long-standing concerns in Nigeria over the use of religious spaces for political messaging, especially during official government events. Critics argue that churches and mosques are increasingly being drawn into political activities under the guise of thanksgiving services and empowerment programmes.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who marked three years in office with the service, has in recent times hosted similar public thanksgiving gatherings combining religious worship with government outreach activities.
Observers say such events often blur the line between state functions and political campaigning, raising questions about neutrality, especially in a period when economic pressure is weighing heavily on citizens.
Public frustration amid rising cost of living
The reported walkout also reflects broader public anger tied to Nigeria’s economic situation, where inflation and rising food prices have significantly affected households. Many citizens have increasingly voiced frustration online over political elites hosting celebratory events while daily living costs remain high.
Although organisers have not issued an official statement addressing the disruption, reactions on social media suggest a divided public, some defending the governor’s thanksgiving event as a cultural and religious tradition, while others argue that political speeches inside churches cross a sensitive line.
What happens next
As of now, there is no official confirmation from the church leadership or the Delta State Government regarding the alleged walkout or the extent of political messaging during the service. The absence of verified video evidence has also left parts of the incident open to interpretation.
Still, the episode adds to ongoing national debates about the intersection of religion, politics, and public accountability in Nigeria, an issue likely to remain in focus as political activities gradually build toward the next election cycle.