Human rights activist and the convener of the RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, has criticized the influence of religious leaders in the country, referring to them as “business people” who use their connections with the government to exploit and oppress the masses.
Sowore’s comments came in response to a social media post by human rights lawyer Chidi Odinkalu, in which he questioned Evangelist Ebuka Obi, the leader of the Zion Prayer Ministry Movement Outreach, for his role in the police prosecution of Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, popularly known as Ijele, for criticising him.
Ijele’s case has been ongoing since April 2024, when he was detained at Ikoyi Prison in Lagos on allegations of cybercrime.
Despite meeting his bail conditions, his release has been hindered due to another case filed against him in Awka, Anambra State.
Reacting to this with a statement posted on his social media pages, Sowore wrote, “These pastors/GOs are business people using resources provided by their Nigerian state criminal partners to kill, destroy, extort, and oppress. There is nothing saintly about these crooks.”
Sowore went on to express disappointment that the public has not risen up in a revolution against these figures, citing the ongoing influence they hold over many Nigerians. He referenced a recent claim by a religious leader that “the Marine kingdom has injected strange women into the world,” calling the statement an example of the “hypnotism” and “spell” cast by these leaders over their followers.
“A #Revolution could have done the magic, but the masses are still under their hypnotism/spell. Imagine one of the scammers and chauvinist pigs claiming the other day that in 2025, the ‘Marine kingdom has injected strange women into the world.’”
Sowore’s comments reflect his long-standing stance against corruption and exploitation in Nigeria, as he continues to call for systemic change and accountability in the country.
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