Only criminals can rule Nigeria – Primate Ayodele

Primate Elijah Ayodele, Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has blamed Nigeria’s struggles on corrupt leadership, declaring that no clean Nigerian can attain political leadership for now.

The statement released on Friday through his media aide, Oluwatosin Osho, said it will be difficult for a honest person to govern the country.

“Corrupt leaders are the reason Nigeria is going through hard times,” Ayodele asserted. “It’s impossible for a corrupt leader to make the country better because all he would be thinking about is how much he can make from the country.”

Ayodele further contended that the presidency is inaccessible to morally upright individuals. “It is only a criminal that can be a president in Nigeria. If you are righteous, you can never become a president in Nigeria. If you don’t have a lion’s heart, you cannot be somebody in Nigeria.”

The cleric also criticised anti-corruption efforts, describing them as inadequate in a system designed to perpetuate wrongdoing.

“I am not surprised we don’t have leaders that fear God. Any God-fearing person will not even be allowed to get to the top,” he added.

Ayodele alleged that many political leaders engage in religious activities purely for political gain, rather than genuine faith.