Human Rights Lawyer Condemns Primate Ayodele’s “Reckless and Divisive” Remarks Against Igbo People

Chief Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo, a human rights advocate and constitutional lawyer, has strongly condemned comments attributed to Primate Elijah Ayodele in which the cleric reportedly claimed that “The Igbos are the problem of Nigeria,” described them as “desperate for power,” and alleged that a “curse” prevents them from producing a President unless “reversed.”

In a statement, Omirhobo decried the pastor’s remarks as “reckless, hateful, and constitutionally ignorant,” insisting that such language is unacceptable particularly from a religious leader expected to promote peace, unity, and national harmony.

According to him, Nigeria operates as a constitutional democracy, not “a spiritual monarchy guided by the personal prophecies of any individual.” He cited key provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), noting that it:

Guarantees the equality of all citizens (Section 17).

Forbids discrimination based on ethnicity (Section 42).

Affirms that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria, not to prophets or spiritual authorities (Section 14(2)(a)).

Omirhobo stressed that leadership in Nigeria is determined by constitutional qualifications and the will of the electorate not by “curses, ethnic profiling, or prophetic politics.” Labelling an entire ethnic group as a problem, he said, amounts to hate speech, while suggesting that Igbos are “cursed” is both irresponsible and dangerous.

He further described the pastor’s claims as “a direct assault on national unity and an insult to millions of hardworking, patriotic Igbo citizens” who contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic, social, educational, and technological advancement. At a time when Nigeria is grappling with deep ethnic sensitivities, Omirhobo said such utterances only “pour petrol on the fragile ethnic fabric” of the country.

He characterised Pastor Ayodele’s comments as “unbiblical, unconstitutional, incendiary, and morally reprehensible,” insisting that the cleric owes the Igbo community and the nation an unreserved apology. Religious leaders, he cautioned, must understand that their platforms are not tools for political manipulation, ethnic stigmatisation, or psychological intimidation.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s multicultural identity, Omirhobo stressed that the country belongs to all ethnic groups, including the Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Ijaw, Tiv, Urhobo, Kanuri, Itsekiri, Efik, Ibibio, and others. “No one is cursed. No group is superior. And no prophet has the authority to rewrite the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he stated.

He urged Nigerians to “resist, condemn, and reject divisive utterances from any quarter,” asserting that the nation’s future depends on justice, inclusiveness, and respect for the dignity of every citizen.