Charismatic Nigerian pastor based in the United Kingdom, Tobi Adegboyega, has stirred the pot by calling the internationally renowned musician, David Adeleke, aka Davido, a gospel artist.
Adegboyega elaborated on his statement, emphasizing that “gospel” simply means “good news,” and Davido, in his view, is actively spreading that message through his music.
The pastor shared his thoughts on the Off The Record podcast, addressing a question about his choice to invite secular musicians to perform at his recent birthday celebration rather than gospel artists.
He also referred to Nigerian artist Zlatan as his “son.”
He explained, “Gospel means good news. Everyone there is a gospel artiste. Davido is a gospel artiste. Have you heard: ‘Because I stand strong?’”
Reflecting on the friendships that shaped his event, he added, “What I had then was my friends, friends who are there through thick and thin. Davido told me, ‘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.”
Turning to criticism from others, Adegboyega posed a rhetorical question: “If gospel artists aren’t my friends and are instead joining the bandwagon to criticize me by asking, ‘Is that a church?’ What should I do? Drag them with a rope?”
For the pastor, it’s all about loyalty.
“It’s my friends that will be there. Everyone in that room was my friend. 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 force them to sing?’”
He concluded with a declaration of friendship: “My friends will always sing at my events, and the next one will be bigger because my circle of friends keeps growing.”