A Brazil-based Catholic missionary priest, Rev. Fr. Chinaka Justin Mbaeri, has sharply criticised the Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, over comments he allegedly made about the Igbo ethnic group.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Mbaeri described Ayodele as a “tribal bigot” and urged the Federal Government to hold him accountable for statements he said could inflame ethnic tensions. He condemned the alleged claim that Igbo people were under a “curse” and needed to “cleanse” themselves before they could attain the presidency, calling the remarks reckless and an example of hate-leaning speech directed at an entire community.
Mbaeri said such comments reinforce harmful stereotypes and undermine national unity at a time when religious leaders should be promoting stability and cohesion. He further questioned Ayodele’s credibility, alleging that the cleric was turning to inflammatory rhetoric in a bid to remain relevant after what he described as “many failed prophecies.”
Expressing concern for Ayodele’s followers, the priest said any leader who makes sweeping ethnic remarks from the pulpit requires “correction and accountability.” In his post, he criticised Ayodele for making statements that, in his view, deepen division and portray an entire ethnic group as inferior or disqualified from national leadership.
He argued that comments attributed to the cleric could “poison minds” and distort public discourse, stressing that Nigeria is already grappling with heightened tensions. According to Mbaeri, anyone seeking to discuss politics or spirituality should avoid injecting ethnicity into the conversation.
He concluded that remarks suggesting Igbo people are hindered from leadership because of “a curse” are irresponsible and should attract consequences, warning that divisive rhetoric has the potential to tear nations apart.
