Primate Ayodele Blasts CAN, Others: ‘Church Leaders Are Worsening Hardship in Nigeria’
Outspoken Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has condemned church leaders across the various Christian groups in Nigeria, insisting they have contributed to the worsening plight of helpless Nigerians who wallow endlessly in abject poverty and hardship.
The prophet who is well known for significant humanitarian projects and programmes for the masses has helped with paying school fees for orphans, supporting widows, donating food stuffs to the poor and providing infrastructure to government establishments like police and hospitals.
Ayodele called out and tackled the leadership of the prominent Christian groups in the country, including the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Unification movement and others, over what he described as their greed and lack of direction towards helping the poor in the country.
Speaking in Lagos recently at the 30th anniversary of the Ministry’s annual book of prophecies tagged Warnings To The Nations which started in 1994, the popular prophet added that he doesn’t belong to or have belief in any of the groups as they are largely political and works for government instead of Christians.
He said: “I have said I don’t believe in or belong to any of the Christian groups like CAN or PFN or Unification because they are political. They are after money and not for the interest of Christians. They are not spiritual entities. It’s man made. They are working for government, not Christians. That’s why Christianity is not moving.”
In a flurry of attacks, he asked, “How many industries did CAN or PFN establish in Nigeria? How many people got jobs through them? Zero. Their leadership lacks focus and is self centred. We are talking about poverty and hardship yet we have churches that are very rich. Churches are contributing to the hardship of the country.”
Taking a jibe at popular televangelists known for ostentatious lifestyle and luxury property, he said, “Pastors want to keep acquiring wealth but are not giving out. They say they are buying private jets for Evangelism. They only go to America, London and mega cities. Why not hinterland? They go to where they can only preach prosperity. Many of them are comedian pastors. They are making a mess of prophecies with the shows and charade.”
Speaking further, Ayodele said, “Nigeria will experience another hardship in 2025. Insecurity will persist. bomb scare, shooting and kidnapping will continue. State police will not help but worsen the problem. Some politicians will weaponise it. It should be suspended.”
Nigerians have complained on social media platforms about the luxury lifestyle of some popular religious leaders who display ostentatious lifestyle and opulence while their members who are encouraged to donate to the church live in penury and lack.
