LAGOS, Nigeria – In a provocative Easter message that has sent ripples through the Christian community, Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has issued a stark warning, asserting that Christianity in Nigeria has been tragically reduced to a vehicle for pastoral extortion.
Primate Ayodele, in a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, lamented a severe deficiency of love and unity among churches.
He criticized religious leaders for prioritising the construction of lavish edifices over the profound teachings and selfless life of Jesus Christ.
"There is no love in Christianity, there is no religious tolerance. It's time we put religion aside, it's killing us in Nigeria and bringing woes to our worship.
“There is too much hate among churches, and there is no leadership capacity in Christianity again.”
The outspoken prophet further emphasised that many men of God are consumed by the pursuit of wealth, travelling extensively for revivals, rather than nurturing human capacity and spiritual growth within their congregations.
He argued that the world would be a far better place if Christian leaders truly embodied the life of Christ, a life characterized by selflessness, profound love, tolerance, and enduring peace.
“We don’t develop human capacity but edifice. We are looking to acquire wealth and go from country to country for revival. The world would be better if we could emulate the life of Christ,” he stated.
Primate Ayodele also highlighted a perceived decline in authentic Christian leadership, suggesting that what should be a joyous Easter season is, for many, a time of internal sorrow and tears.
He pointed to the ongoing financial exploitation of church members by pastors as a principal reason for this distress, asserting that such practices betray the very essence of Christ's sacrifice.
“There is no sincerity in relationships in Christianity; the leadership aura in Christianity has derailed. There is nothing like Happy Easter because people, Christians, are shedding tears internally,” he said, adding, “Christians are crying because pastors continue to extort members. This isn’t the kind of life Jesus Christ died for.”
He concluded his message with a poignant reflection on the current state of faith: "Love has finished, good relationship has finished, the spiritual prowess in Christianity is no longer there, there isn’t good leadership in Christendom, there isn’t love anywhere, and genuine God’s presence is rare.”
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