‘I will not take legal action’ — Shina Peters replies Pastor Ashimolowo

By Folashade Olorunfemi –

Renowned Afro-Juju musician Sir Shina Peters has made it clear that he will not take legal action against Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, describing recent comments about him as false and demeaning.

The issue arose from a viral video showing Pastor Ashimolowo, senior pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre, delivering a sermon to his congregation about delayed gratification. To illustrate his point, the clergyman compared Sir Peters’ financial decisions to those of Jim Ovia, the founder and chairman of Zenith Bank, in the early 1990s.

According to Pastor Ashimolowo, Sir Peters used 20 million naira to buy a house, while Ovia used the same amount to establish a financial institution. Ashimolowo claimed that the bank has since expanded across many African countries, whereas “one man is now fixing leaking roofs, broken toilets, and doors.”

Based on this, Ashimolowo highlighted the differing outcomes of the two men’s decisions, stating, “So I am speaking into somebody’s life now. Delay your gratification, and God will lift you.”

A colleague of Sir Peters in the music industry, Daddy Showkey, defended the musician on Instagram, rebuking the clergyman. In his post, he said:

“No, this is wrong. For Sir Shina’s angle, he is successful, very successful. From where Sir Shina Peters comes from, the way he grew up, and the challenges he went through, he still rose and reached where he is today—it wasn’t easy. In a society where people pirate music and fail to pay royalties, musicians are often mocked… Today, you see a comedian doing comedy, it’s musicians who get used…you say the musicians have failed in life…one day your turn will come…who will reign forever? Nobody!”

In his response, Sir Peters stressed that, as a bishop himself, he would not engage in conflict with Ashimolowo over the comparison or demeaning comments—neither through speech nor legal action. He emphasised the importance of setting positive examples for the body of Christ.

“For the sake of the legacy of our Creator and Christ Jesus, as well as other esteemed men of God, such as St. Moses Orimolade Tunolase and others, I will not take legal action, nor will I speak ill against you, despite your false and derogatory statements,” Peters wrote.

The Afropop musician also reflected on God’s blessings in his life over the years, noting that comparison with others is less important than setting good examples.

“The way I see it, God has really blessed me beyond words; you cannot even begin to imagine His blessings upon my life all these decades. People close to me know what I’m talking about. On the other hand, God, being the loving Father that He is, has also blessed you, His Son. How we use our blessings to set good examples for people is what matters now,” he concluded.