The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has lambasted Primate Babatunde Ayodele of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church over what it described as “reckless, hate-filled and inciting” comments targeting the Igbo ethnic group.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, Ohanaeze said it received with “deep disappointment and absolute condemnation” remarks credited to the cleric in which he allegedly claimed that “Igbos are the problem of Nigeria,” insisted the Igbo are “under a curse,” and further asserted that they are “desperate to be Nigerian President.”
Ohanaeze said such utterances amount to ethnic profiling from a pulpit that should promote peace, warning that Ayodele’s comments cross every line of decency.
“It is tragic that a man who claims to speak for God would descend to such ethnic profiling and hate-mongering against an entire people,” the statement read.
The body dismissed Ayodele’s assertions as false, malicious, and dangerously inflammatory.
“The world knows the Igbo for what we are: hardworking, enterprising, resilient, innovative and relentlessly committed to national development wherever we find ourselves. No amount of careless prophecy, misleading soothsaying or incendiary sermon of Ayodele can rewrite this truth,” Ohanaeze declared.
Describing Ayodele’s remarks as “dangerous incitement with the potential to trigger needless tension in an already fragile national space,” Ohanaeze insisted the cleric must be held accountable.
The organisation called on security agencies to immediately invite Primate Ayodele for questioning over his “inciting comments,” adding that his church premises should be sealed off for allegedly promoting ethnic hostility under the guise of religion.
“No clergyman should be permitted to hide under the cloak of religion to wage an assault on the unity of this nation,” Ohanaeze warned.
The group stressed that Nigeria is already struggling with multiple national challenges and cannot afford incendiary rhetoric from religious figures who ought to know better. It urged all religious leaders to use their platforms to unite the country rather than divide it.
Reiterating its unwavering commitment to peace and the protection of Igbo dignity, Ohanaeze cautioned Ndigbo worldwide—especially those worshipping in Ayodele’s church—“to beware of the falsehood he represents.”
The statement concluded with a firm pledge:
Ohanaeze “will continue to defend the dignity and integrity of the Igbo people wherever and whenever they are unjustly attacked.”
