Popular Prophet Justifies "I Can Never Follow a Poor Pastor" Statement

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The Debate on Wealth, Leadership, and Personal Choice

Prophet Joshua Iginla, the Lead Pastor of Champions Faith Assembly, has come forward to defend a controversial statement made by Pastor Korede Komaiya, who once said, “I can never follow a poor pastor.” This remark sparked significant debate across social media platforms in Nigeria. Iginla emphasized that the statement should be viewed as a personal opinion rather than a universal rule.

In his response, Iginla highlighted that life is shaped by individual choices and perspectives. He argued that many Nigerians misunderstood the statement, which was made during a program at COZA in Abuja in January 2026. According to Iginla, the statement reflected Komaiya’s personal experiences and beliefs, not an absolute truth.

During a church service, Iginla shared a video message titled “The Poor Versus the Rich,” where he further explained his stance. He suggested that while the statement might not have been acceptable in the past, changing realities and increased exposure could shift public perception regarding leadership and prosperity.

Iginla pointed out that there is nothing inherently wrong with the statement, as it is merely an opinion. He encouraged individuals to choose their spiritual leaders based on their own preferences. “If you want to follow a poor pastor, follow one. If you want to follow a rich pastor, follow one,” he said.

To support his argument, Iginla referenced Proverbs 19:4, which suggests that wealth naturally attracts people, while poverty often repels them. He noted that the scripture itself acknowledges this reality. Iginla questioned why poverty is often spiritualized while prosperity is met with suspicion within the church.

He emphasized that prosperity should not be confused with spirituality. “If I say today the topic of our message is poverty, will you sit down?” he asked. “Do you teach people how to be poor?” Iginla added that both poverty and wealth can lead to heaven, citing examples such as Lazarus, Abraham, David, and Solomon.

Iginla warned against what he called “terrorising” others for embracing prosperity. He stressed that both poverty and wealth are personal choices. In addition, he urged pastors to teach practical wealth creation alongside spiritual growth.

A Clash of Views

Pastor Abel Damina criticized Pastor Komaiya after a video surfaced online showing Komaiya declaring that he would never follow a poor pastor. Damina accused Komaiya of promoting greed and materialism, suggesting that he was fighting his own poverty while using money collected from poor followers to fund his lifestyle.

This clash ignited heated debates on social media, with Nigerians sharing their views on Komaiya's prosperity preaching and Damina's criticism. The discussion extended beyond religious circles, touching on broader societal issues related to wealth, leadership, and personal responsibility.

Political Prophecy

In a separate development, Prophet Iginla revealed a prophetic insight regarding Peter Obi’s political future. According to reports, Iginla stated that Obi would be making a political misstep if he accepted anything less than the presidential slot from the coalition movement. He emphasized that Obi's destiny was aligned with the presidency, and accepting the vice presidential position would be against his divine plan.

This revelation has sparked further discussions among political analysts and supporters of Obi, highlighting the intersection between faith and politics in Nigerian society. Iginla's comments underscore the influence of religious leaders in shaping public discourse and political narratives.