Ogilisi Igbo Slams Igbo Monarchs For Abandoning Traditions

LAGOS, Nigeria — Ogilisi Igbo, the spiritual leader of the Igbo nation, has strongly criticized traditional rulers of Igbo extraction for attending the 2025 Royal Fathers Convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) at Lagos’ Redemption Camp. He described their attendance as “a disgrace to the gods of Igbo land” and warned that only a public apology could avert dire spiritual consequences.

Speaking with palpable anger, Ogilisi questioned the loyalty of the monarchs to their forebears. “How is it possible?” he asked. “They destroyed their ken deities; most of their deities are in museums in the Western world. Instead of recalling them, they are worshiping another man’s God. Some ethnic groups preserved their traditional deities, while others safeguarded their culture. It is the Igbos who dismantled theirs. And now, the very people calling themselves traditional rulers are rolling to churches seeking salvation for Igbo. It is a shame. They must apologize to the Igbo land.”

Ogilisi Igbo further condemned their attendance at the RCCG event, stating, “This is condemnable. Traditional rulers of Igbo land are seeking God’s favour from a church established by one man. This insult is disgraceful to the gods of Igbo land.”

The 2025 Royal Fathers Convention, now in its third edition, was held under the theme “More Than Conquerors.” Organized annually by RCCG General Overseer Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the event draws monarchs and royal fathers from across Nigeria to pray for their kingdoms, seek divine guidance, and rededicate their thrones to God’s service. Participants also use the convention as an opportunity to discuss matters of governance, leadership, and moral guidance within their domains.

Ogilisi’s remarks highlight the tension between adherence to traditional Igbo customs and participation in modern Christian religious practices. According to him, abandoning ancestral rites for a modern religious gathering undermines the authority of the gods of Igbo land. “The very foundations of our culture are being challenged,” he said. “When traditional rulers neglect their spiritual duties, it affects the entire community. They owe an apology not just to the gods but to the people of Igbo land.”

The spiritual leader also recalled the historical dismantling of Igbo deities. “Many of our ancestral gods were destroyed or taken away; some now reside in museums abroad. Other ethnic groups in Nigeria managed to preserve theirs, but the Igbos failed to safeguard theirs. And now, the custodians of Igbo heritage are attending a church convention, abandoning centuries of spiritual responsibility. This is unacceptable.”

As of now, Igbo monarchs have not publicly responded to Ogilisi Igbo’s criticism. His statements serve as a reminder of the continuing influence of ancestral authority and the challenges communities face in balancing traditional practices with contemporary religious engagement.

Ogilisi’s warnings underscore a broader cultural concern: how Nigerian societies reconcile centuries-old indigenous practices with the influence of modern religious movements. The controversy raises questions about the role of traditional rulers, the preservation of cultural identity, and the enduring significance of spiritual leadership in Igbo land.