LAGOS, Nigeria — Ogilisi Igbo, the spiritual leader of the Igbo nation, has issued a stern rebuke to traditional rulers of Igbo land who attended the 2025 Royal Fathers Convention organized by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Lagos. He described their participation as “a betrayal of ancestral trust” and warned that their actions could invite spiritual consequences for the entire region.
“These monarchs have abandoned the sacred shrines of our forefathers and now kneel at altars that have no roots in Igbo cosmology,” Ogilisi declared. “They wear crowns forged by tradition, yet they seek power from pulpits that once condemned our ways. It is a contradiction that insults the gods of our land.”
“Unburied Corpses Are a Sign”
Ogilisi Igbo linked the growing insecurity in Igbo land to spiritual neglect by its traditional rulers. “The land is bleeding. Corpses lie unburied, and the spirits of the dead roam without rest,” he said. “This is not just a failure of governance—it is a failure of spiritual duty. When our monarchs abandon their roles as custodians of the land’s soul, the land itself rejects peace.”
He continued, “These rulers should be performing rites to cleanse the land, to honor the ancestors, and to restore balance. Instead, they are attending conventions in distant cities, seeking divine favor from institutions that do not speak the language of our gods.”
“Cultural Confusion in Royal Circles”
Ogilisi Igbo expressed concern over what he called “a growing confusion in Igbo royal circles.” He accused some monarchs of losing their spiritual compass and chasing relevance through religious platforms that dilute their cultural authority. “They are no longer the spiritual backbone of their communities,” he said. “They have become ceremonial figureheads, disconnected from the sacred obligations that once defined their thrones.”
He lamented the historical dismantling of Igbo deities, many of which were destroyed or taken to museums abroad. “Other ethnic groups preserved their spiritual heritage. The Igbos dismantled theirs. And now, the very people entrusted with our traditions are seeking salvation elsewhere.”
“A Call for Accountability”
Ogilisi Igbo demanded a public apology from the monarchs involved, stating that only a sincere act of contrition could begin to heal the spiritual wounds inflicted on the land. “Let them return to the shrines. Let them reconnect with the gods they have ignored. If they do not, the consequences will not be political—they will be spiritual, and they will be severe.”
As of now, the monarchs have not responded publicly. But Ogilisi’s words have reignited a critical conversation across Igbo communities about the role of traditional rulers, the preservation of cultural identity, and the spiritual health of the land.
This controversy underscores a deeper crisis: how Igbo society navigates the tension between ancestral fidelity and modern religious influence. And as Ogilisi Igbo’s warning echoes across the land, it challenges both leaders and citizens to reflect on what it truly means to honor tradition.
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