Apostle Joshua Selman, founder of Eternity Network International (ENI), publicly acknowledged former Anambra State governor Peter Obi during a Koinonia Miracle Service on Sunday, August 30, 2026. The introduction, which took place at the live service in Abuja, prompted an enthusiastic eruption of cheers and applause from the congregation, as captured in a viral video shared on X by Esther Umoh, the official photographer for Obi's 2027 presidential campaign.
Moment of Recognition at the Service
Selman, who leads one of Nigeria's most widely followed Pentecostal ministries, formally introduced Obi to the worshippers in attendance. The televangelist's acknowledgment of the Labour Party's 2027 presidential hopeful was met with a warm and spirited response, with the hall filling with applause and cheers as the congregation welcomed the former governor.
The video, shared by Umoh on Sunday, quickly spread beyond the walls of the service, drawing significant attention on social media. Koinonia services, known for drawing thousands of worshippers both in-person and online, provided a high-visibility platform for Obi's appearance, which many saw as a notable moment given Selman's prominence in evangelical Christianity.
Social Media Reactions and Political Significance
The reception Obi received sparked widespread commentary online, with users reacting to both the atmosphere in the hall and the political implications of the introduction. Legit.ng compiled several reactions from X, including comments from users like Itzsammy001, who wrote, "Omo don start church pattern," and yedokun_imuse, who remarked, "When there was no political campaign, he didn't know Koinonia exists. Now his pharisaic attitude has come again." Another user, oyedokun_imuse, added, "Politicizing religious gathering is the weakness of christians," while DaRealest9ja commented, "Welcome to the 2027 elections campaign season. His campaign team have to do more than just advising him to be attending church services if he wants to win."
Obi, who ran as the Labour Party's presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has remained politically active ahead of the 2027 polls. His appearance at the Koinonia service added a new dimension to his continued visibility among faith communities across Nigeria, with the introduction by one of the country's most influential pastors underscoring his outreach efforts.
Selman's Background and Prior Reports
In related news, Legit.ng previously reported on Apostle Selman's reaction to his birthday cake during a church programme, as well as his marital status. In an old video from 2022, Selman confirmed he was single, disclosing that he had been able to deal with 'sisters and ladies' through personal principles and values. This came after he made waves online on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, when he declared that one of his church workers, Sandra Areh, aka Selwoman, is his "love."
The video of Peter Obi at Koinonia, shared by Esther Umoh, continues to circulate, reflecting the ongoing intersection of politics and religion in Nigeria's public sphere.
