Reverend Esther Ajayi distributes Easter gifts bearing Tinubu's name during church service

A video has surfaced showing Esther Ajayi, a prominent cleric, handing out Easter packages adorned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's image during a church service, sparking a flurry of reactions on social media.

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The clip, which has gone viral, depicts the preacher distributing food items to congregants as part of Easter celebrations, with the packaging reportedly featuring references to the Nigerian leader.

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The incident has ignited a debate about the blurred lines between religion and politics, particularly within places of worship, prompting widespread discussion and criticism.

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Many Nigerians have taken to social media to express their concerns, criticisms, and frustrations over the incident, with one user, @kolawoledavid21, condemning the act, stating that the preacher is a "gospel merchandiser" seeking fame and wealth.

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@kolawoledavid21 further questioned the government's worthiness of support for a second term, expressing dismay at the use of a church as a campaign ground.

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Another user, @quad_ab, raised questions about the role of religious leaders in holding the government accountable, noting that religious leaders who should speak out against the government are instead supporting it.

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@quad_ab wondered how the religious leader could now convince the congregation not to vote for Tinubu, given the preacher's apparent support for the government.

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@fiscotunex reacted to the incident, stating that religion has been reduced to a tool for politics, used to keep citizens in poverty, and that religious leaders are secretly manipulating their followers while pretending to offer hope.

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@hadebammy also commented on the issue, saying that while Tinubu is distributing food in churches, Nigerians are struggling with hunger at home, and that the country has reached a point where palliatives have become a regular part of Sunday services.

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@hadebammy criticized the government for focusing on distributing rice and noodles instead of addressing the country's economic problems, likening the situation to an end-of-year party.

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The video has rekindled conversations about the role of religious institutions in politics and the growing concerns about economic hardship in the country, as reactions to the incident continue to pour in.