The Downside of a Yoruba Pastor In The Person of PRIMATE ELIJAH AYODELE Blaming the Igbo as Nigeria’s Problem
By Mazi Otti NwakaNSCCABSSCFOA. When a religious leader from one ethnic group publicly declares that another tribe—here, the Igbo—is the cause of Nigeria’s difficulties, the statement reverberates far beyond the pulpit. Such rhetoric can deepen existing cleavages, erode trust among citizens, and undermine the nation’s collective effort to address real challenges. While freedom of expression protects the pastor’s right to speak, the impact of his words illustrates several negative consequences. First, polarisation intensifies. Ethnic identity is already a sensitive fault line in Nigeria; framing a single group as the “problem” fuels stereotypes and resentment. Followers may interpret the claim as…
