Pastor Poju Oyemade, a prominent figure in the religious community and convener of The Platform Nigeria, has strongly refuted the allegations made by Rev. Fr. Chinenye Oluoma, a Catholic priest from the Abuja Archdiocese. Fr. Oluoma had made claims suggesting that popular gospel singer Mercy Chinwo charges a fee for her performances at churches.
In a swift response on Thursday, Pastor Oyemade took to his verified Twitter account to dismiss Fr. Oluoma’s claims, labeling them as false and potentially harmful. He made it clear that Mercy Chinwo had indeed sung at their service in Lekki the previous Sunday, but any financial compensation she received was entirely at the discretion of their organization. Oyemade went on to clarify that Chinwo had not made any formal charges for her participation.
Furthermore, Pastor Oyemade directly addressed a specific report in which Fr. Oluoma alleged that Mercy Chinwo demanded a staggering sum of 10 million naira to minister at worship centers. Oyemade expressed his disapproval of gospel musicians who seek exorbitant payments for their performances within sacred places of worship. He implicitly criticized the notion of placing a financial burden on churches and congregations in order to showcase their talent.
This public response by Pastor Poju Oyemade serves to protect the reputation of both Mercy Chinwo and The Platform Nigeria, an organization known for fostering dialogue on national development and progress. Oyemade’s firm denial of Fr. Oluoma’s claims and his critique of excessive payment demands in religious settings underscore the importance of maintaining integrity and authenticity within the gospel music industry.