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Controversial British pastor Tobi Adegboyega has finally responded to the criticism he faced for having secular artistes perform at his birthday party in 2023 instead of gospel artistes.
The founder of Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church opened up about the backlash received during his recent sit-down on the Off the Record podcast. Adegboyega defended his choices, emphasising the importance of loyalty and friendship over public opinion.
“Gospel means good news. Everyone there is a gospel artiste. Davido is a gospel artist. Have you heard, ‘Because I stand strong?” he asked, referring to the singer’s hit song.
The pastor explained that the performers at his event were friends who have supported him through thick and thin. “Davido told me himself, ‘I know you’re busy, but I just want to be there and perform for one hour.’ They’re my friends. I didn’t pay any of them. They love me, and I will give my friends platforms,” he said.
"Davido is a gospel artiste"
– Pastor Tobi Adegboyega pic.twitter.com/jkaZIVgAzX
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) December 22, 2024
He added, “If gospel artistes aren’t my friends and are instead joining the bandwagon to criticise me by asking, ‘Is that a church?’ What should I do? Drag them with a rope?”
Adegboyega also addressed criticism from some gospel artistes and their supporters, who questioned whether his event aligned with church principle
“It’s my friends that will be there if gospel people like me. Everyone in that room was my friend, every single person. Zlatan is like a son to me; his kids are my kids, and his parents were in my house. So should I now say, ‘Well, because you are not gospel artistes, let me go and look for some gospel artistes who are criticizing me and drag them to sing?’
“My friends will always sing at my events, and the next one will be bigger because my circle of friends keeps growing,”, he firmly stated.
