The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has cautioned Nigerians against celebrating former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida.
His warning follows the launch of Babangida’s autobiography, in which the ex-military ruler made key revelations about events during his tenure.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 25, through his media aide, Oluwatosin Osho, Primate Ayodele expressed concerns about Nigeria’s democratic system, warning that it is becoming more of a burden than a path to progress.
He described the country’s democracy as deeply flawed, emphasizing that corruption, desperation, and division have become its defining features.
“If we are not careful, democracy will tear this country apart. Our system is riddled with fundamental problems, yet no serious effort is being made to reform it. For Nigeria to thrive, we must review the constitution because governance has turned into a free-for-all, where people act without accountability,” Ayodele said.
The cleric also reacted to the discussions surrounding Babangida’s book, criticizing the tendency to glorify historical injustices.
“Babangida has now openly admitted that MKO Abiola won the election he annulled, yet people are still celebrating him. This only proves that in Nigeria, wrongdoing is often rewarded. He secured billions for a project that adds no real value to the country, yet he is being praised. We have embraced corruption, injustice, and division, all of which pose a serious threat to the nation’s unity,” he stated.
Ayodele further criticized the increasing involvement of traditional rulers in politics, accusing them of acting like party officials and working behind the scenes to influence election outcomes.