The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has advised Nigerians against celebrating former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida.
His statement follows the unveiling of Babangida’s autobiography, where he reflected on significant events that took place under his leadership.
In a message released on Tuesday, February 25, through his media aide, Oluwatosin Osho, Primate Ayodele expressed concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy, warning that it is becoming more of a liability than a means of national development.
He described the country’s democratic system as flawed, citing corruption, political desperation, and growing divisions among leaders and citizens.
“If we are not vigilant, democracy will lead this nation into further crisis. There are major faults in the system, yet little is being done to correct them. Nigeria needs a constitutional review to establish a governance structure that serves the people rather than personal interests,” Ayodele remarked.
He also criticized the reactions to Babangida’s book, arguing that past political misdeeds should not be overlooked.
“Now, Babangida openly acknowledges that MKO Abiola won the election that was annulled, yet some still applaud him. This reflects a disturbing trend where injustice is normalized. He secured vast sums for a project that has not significantly benefited the nation, yet we continue to celebrate such figures. This culture of embracing corruption and division is dangerous for Nigeria’s unity,” he said.
Additionally, the cleric raised concerns about the growing political involvement of traditional rulers, warning that many now function as partisan figures rather than neutral custodians of culture and leadership.
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