Pastor Ayodele Sparks Outrage With Statement Targeting the Igbo Community in his Sunday sermon, calling a whole tribe a curse

The Igbos are the problem of Nigeria. They are desperate for power and want to rule Nigeria at all costs. There’s a curse on Igbos,” -Pastor Ayodele

A fresh wave of controversy has hit social media after Prophet Ayodele, founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, made a highly provocative remark about the Igbo ethnic group in his bigotry preaching during his Sunday preaching in his church, NRI.

During a recent address, Pastor Ayodele  stated:

The Igbos are the problem of Nigeria. They are desperate for power and want to rule Nigeria at all costs. There’s a curse on Igbos.”

The statement, which spread rapidly across social media platforms, triggered immediate backlash from citizens nationwide. Many Nigerians condemned the comment as divisive, especially at a time when ethnic tension remains a sensitive national issue.

Social commentators, civil society groups, and Igbo organisations called the pastor’s words “dangerous,” warning that such rhetoric could fuel ethnic hostility. Others questioned why a religious leader would make comments that could undermine national unity.

As reactions continue to pour in, Pastor Ayodele has not publicly clarified or retracted the statement. Nigerians await a formal response from the church leadership, while various groups call for responsible communication from public figures.

The incident has once again reopened conversations about ethnic stereotypes, political competition, and the responsibility of influential voices in shaping public opinion.