Sowore Slams Prosperity Churches Over Exploitation of Poor Members, Faults Pastor Olumide’s Response

Human Rights Activist, publisher and AAC Presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has accused prosperity churches of taking from poor members to build elite institutions exclusive for the wealthy class, describing such practice as exploitation.

In a statement posted on his official media handle, Sowore said he had criticised prosperity preachers on a recent episode of _The Honest Bunch_, and was responding to Pastor Olumide Emmanuel’s remarks on the issue.

“On that show, I spoke plainly about a system where prosperity

preachers take from the poor while denying them any meaningful benefit from the wealth created by their sacrifices,” Sowore wrote. “His response was not just defensive; it was revealing, even though he tried to be demeaning.”

According to Sowore, Emmanuel “openly admitted that churches raise ‘capital’ from poor members to build elite institutions such as schools, only to later separate those institutions from the church so they can ‘survive.’”

“In plain language, that means the people who paid for these schools are deliberately excluded from them. That is exploitation,” Sowore wrote.

He argued that members who contribute money, time, and belief have “sweat equity” in what is built. “You cannot take from the poor in the name of faith, convert their sacrifices into profitable assets, and then deny them access to those very assets,” he said.

Sowore criticized the use of member funds to acquire properties, build businesses, and purchase private jets and helicopters, while “struggling church members are encouraged to give beyond their means.” He also questioned the affordability of church-owned estates such as Redemption Camp for ordinary members.

“Where are the provisions for low-income housing for members? Where is the housing for the poor who attend massive programs like the Holy Ghost Congress and are forced to sleep outdoors during the holy ghost congress? There is practically none,” he wrote.

He further rejected arguments that estates like Redemption Camp or Canaan Land should serve as models for national governance. “The very people who should be running this nation properly are already inside your churches. They are your elders, your biggest donors, your celebrated tithe payers,” Sowore said. “Yet, unlike Jesus, you have not driven them out of the house of the Lord. Instead, they are welcomed, honoured, and elevated.”

Sowore is the publisher of Sahara Reporters and national chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC). Pastor Olumide Emmanuel is a Lagos-based pastor and public commentator. Emmanuel had not issued a further public response at press time.