A theological debate between two high-profile Christian figures has taken a sharp political turn as popular gospel artist Testimony Jaga publicly slammed former Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo over his recent dismissal of the “prosperity gospel.”
The friction began following Osinbajo’s appearance at a live debate held at the Rock of Ages Christian Assembly International, where the former VP argued that the concept of a “prosperity gospel” is a perversion of true Christian doctrine.
The Debate: “No Such Thing as Prosperity Gospel”
During the event, Osinbajo responded to Pastor Korede Komaiya, who had argued that biblical prosperity is an authentic part of the gospel when balanced with diligence. Osinbajo countered this firmly:
“The New Testament, no matter how we slice it… there is no such thing as prosperity gospel. There is only a gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Osinbajo stated, adding that framing the faith around material wealth is a distraction from its message of truth and redemption.
Testimony Jaga Hits Back: “Show Us Your Record”
In a viral video response, Testimony Jaga—known for his energetic “street gospel” style—took exception to Osinbajo’s remarks. While he agreed that there is only one gospel, he argued that it must address the physical and material suffering of the people.
Jaga’s critique quickly shifted from theology to political accountability, questioning Osinbajo’s moral authority to correct the church given his eight-year tenure in the Buhari administration.
- Political Credibility: Jaga challenged the former VP to show tangible evidence of his impact on the poor while in office. “Show us how many poor people that you have helped genuinely… show us one school that you built,” Jaga demanded.
- The Resignation Question: Referencing past public calls for Osinbajo to step down during periods of national crisis, Jaga asked: “When they asked you to resign as a good Christian, sir, did you resign?”
- Spiritual Authority: The singer argued that a politician who served in an administration that struggled with economic challenges should not be the one “condemning” a message of financial hope.
Watch video below:
The Divide: Spirit vs. Stomach
The clash highlights a long-standing divide in the Nigerian church. While scholars and traditionalists like Osinbajo emphasize redemption and character, many “street-level” ministers and artists like Jaga believe the gospel is incomplete if it does not offer a way out of the country’s biting economic hardship.
Key Points of Contention:
| Osinbajo’s Stance | Testimony Jaga’s Rebuttal |
| Focus on spiritual truth and redemption. | Focus on “good news” that includes material upliftment. |
| Wealth can be a distraction/perversion. | Poverty is a reality that the church must address. |
| The gospel is one and singular. | The gospel is one, but its power must show in the lives of the poor. |
| Theology should be pure from politics. | Leadership record dictates the right to correct the Church. |
The exchange has polarized social media. Supporters of the former VP defend his academic and pastoral consistency, while Jaga’s fans praise him for “speaking truth to power” and highlighting the gap between high-level theology and the daily struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
As of Monday morning, Osinbajo’s team has not released an official response to the singer’s challenge.