Primate Elijah Ayodele Clarifies Comment on “Igbo Curse,” Says Statement Was Misinterpreted and Not Rooted in Tribal Bias
Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has issued a public clarification following widespread backlash over his recent statement regarding what he described as a “curse” hindering the Igbo ethnic group from achieving the Nigerian presidency.
In a new statement on Saturday, Ayodele emphasized that he harbors no hatred toward the Igbo people, stressing that his church is home to worshippers from different ethnic groups across the country.
“There has never been a time when my messages expressed hatred for any tribe. I love everyone regardless of tribe, and my church reflects this with members from various ethnic backgrounds. We don’t segregate,” he said.
Ayodele explained that his earlier remarks about an “Igbo curse” were meant to serve as a warning and spiritual guideline, which he believes could offer a solution toward improving the group’s chances of clinching the presidency—especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“My statement was more of a solution than an attack. God has sent me with a message and also provided a solution. It is now up to them to follow or reject it,” he added.
The cleric said the backlash missed the essence of his message, insisting that instead of emotional reactions, stakeholders should have sought to understand “how the curse could be taken off” as part of long-term political preparation.
Ayodele maintained that he is not against an Igbo presidency, arguing that his spiritual revelations were meant to empower, not hinder, their political aspiration.
His clarification comes amid heated national debates surrounding Nigeria’s 2027 elections, ethnic power rotation, and the perceived marginalization of the Southeast—a topic that continues to stir political and emotional tensions across the country.
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