Eid celebration: Primate Elijah Ayodele calls for end to religious bigotry in Nigeria

Michael Olumide

Founder and Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has called on Nigerians to embrace religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and harmony among adherents of different faiths across the country.

The renowned cleric made the call during the Eid-El-Kabir Service (Salat al-Eid) held at the Alhaja (Dr.) Abiba’tu Ashabi Mogaji Central Mosque is located within the INRI premises in Ejigbo, Lagos.

Representing the Primate at the event, Apostle Evangelist Abegunde Olumide of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church explained that his attendance at the Muslim prayer gathering despite being a Christian was aimed at promoting religious tolerance and demonstrating genuine interfaith harmony.

According to him, the initiative was meant to prove that Christians and Muslims can peacefully coexist and support one another’s faith without prejudice or hostility.

“It is to tell the doubting Thomases that we can as well propagate the faith of Islam alongside Christianity. In the spirit of interreligious harmony which our father in the Lord, Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, has preached for many years, we are here to make it a reality and show people that peaceful coexistence is possible,” he said.

Olumide stressed that religious violence and crises have no place in Nigeria, noting that neither Jesus Christ nor Prophet Muhammad preached hatred or division among people.

“We do not believe in religious riots or religious crises. That is not what Jesus Christ preached and that is not what Prophet Muhammad preached. Here at INRI, we have a mosque beside a church, and I am a pastor in the church. This is a practical example of unity and peaceful coexistence,” he stated.

He lamented the rise in religious fanaticism and bigotry in some parts of the country, warning that such attitudes threaten national unity and peaceful living among citizens.

“We don’t need religious hatred in this country. We want a situation where a Christian can preach in the North and a Muslim can freely practice Islam in the South without fear. People are becoming religious fanatics, and that is dangerous for our society,” he added.

Speaking further, Olumide urged Muslims and Christians to work together in love, understanding, and mutual respect while upholding the true teachings of their respective faiths.

“My message to our Muslim brothers and sisters is that we should work together with our Christian brothers and sisters in unity. We should showcase the principles and teachings of Islam and Christianity without hatred, misunderstanding, or religious bigotry. Love and faith are very important,” he said.

He also commended Primate Ayodele for his commitment to interreligious harmony and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.

“In the history of this country, I see Primate Elijah Ayodele as one of the few religious leaders genuinely preaching, establishing, and investing in interreligious harmony. This should be embedded in our hearts as Nigerians,” he stated.

Also speaking at the event, Reverend Dr. Diola Ayinde, one of the Parish Shepherds of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, reiterated the need for unity among adherents of different religions.

According to him, the church under the leadership of Primate Ayodele believes there should be no discrimination or division based on religion.

“We are trying to show that there is no tribalism in religion. We are one in Christ. Our father in the Lord, Primate Elijah Ayodele, taught us that anything Muslims are doing, Christians should join them, and anything Christians are doing, Muslims should also join us,” he said.

Ayinde disclosed that his presence at the Eid prayer ground was at the directive of Primate Ayodele, adding that although he was unfamiliar with some of the Islamic prayer procedures, he participated respectfully in the spirit of unity.

“Even though I do not know how to do some of the things they are doing, I followed them in prayers because they have their rules and processes. That is how it should be,” he added.

He further advised both Christians and Muslims to practice their religion with sincerity, kindness, and love for humanity.
“If you are worshipping God without love and kindness, then there is nothing meaningful in what you are doing,” he noted.

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of the INRI Mosque thanked God for witnessing another Eid celebration and offered prayers for Primate Ayodele.

“Our prayer for our father, Primate Elijah Ayodele, is that God should continue to bless him with long life and good health. He is a good person, and we pray that God will continue to strengthen him,” the Imam said.

The Eid gathering further underscored the growing call for religious tolerance and national unity in Nigeria, as faith leaders continue to advocate peaceful coexistence among people of different religious backgrounds.