An Ondo-based pastor, Olabanjo Felix, has renounced Christianity for Isese, the indigenous Yoruba spiritual tradition, saying the “deceit in Christianity” pushed him to become an Ifa priest.
Felix, who founded Image of God Evangelical and Prophetic Ministries in Ibaka, Oka Akoko, told Sunday PUNCH there was “no true pastor of the Bible in Nigeria” and accused some pastors of turning Christianity into personal and family businesses.
He announced his decision in a viral video, saying, “I’m now Ifawamiri Aworanolodumare, Babalawo of Ifá.”
Felix said he made the announcement because people continued calling him a pastor.
“I did that video to announce to the world that I’m no longer a pastor because people kept addressing me as pastor, but I cannot continue to accept that. I don’t support deceit, so people have to know that I’m now an Ifa adherent,” he said.
He said his decision followed a two-year “soul-searching journey” and consultations with pastors. He also considered Islam before choosing Ifa.
“I changed from Christianity to Ifa worshipping two years ago when I was on a soul-searching journey. I was very disturbed with the confusion in the Bible and the deceit in Christianity. Before taking my decision, I tried consulting with other pastors to check myself because I thought maybe I was not truly born again, but I still could not continue with Christianity even with their attempts to change my mind.”
Felix said he found the Araba of Isararemọ, Oluṣẹgun Latunji Aifuwapẹ, on Facebook and began learning Ifa. He also said his belief was strengthened by his experience with herbs and roots.
“There is too much deceit in Christianity. The so-called men of God have used the religion to brainwash a lot of people. I cannot count the number of pastors that contact us for Ifa divination.
“But I cannot do that, and that is why I came out openly to renounce Christianity and declared my allegiance to Ifa,” he said.
