Mixed Reactions as Ondo Pastor Abandons Christianity for Isese Practice

Public opinion has been sharply divided following the decision of an Ondo State-based pastor, Olabanjo Felix, to renounce Christianity and embrace Isese practice, an indigenous Yoruba spiritual tradition, declaring himself a Babalawo.

Felix, who previously founded the Image of God Evangelical and Prophetic Ministries in Ibaka, Oka Akoko area of Ondo State, revealed his personal spiritual journey in a viral video that surfaced on social media platforms on Thursday.

Announcing his transition from Christian ministry to Ifá practice, the former cleric revealed his new spiritual identity.

“I’m now Ifawamiri Aworanolodumare, Babalawo of Ifá,” he declared in the video.

Felix expressed gratitude to his new spiritual mentor, the Araba of Isararemọ, Oluṣẹgun Latunji Aifuwapẹ, and his spiritual sons for guiding him.

In a controversial remark, the former pastor described foreign religions as deceitful, asserting that indigenous Yoruba worship is superior.

He, however, failed to clarify the fate of his church ministry and congregation.

The announcement has sparked widespread debates across X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram, centring on religious freedom, cultural identity, and the sincerity of public religious figures.

On X, user Zillennial Mom, who tweets as #chiziterem92555, questioned the fluidity of personal convictions, writing, “So after years of preaching that Christianity is the truth, he has now concluded that ‘all foreign religions are lies’ and Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is the real deal. What exactly changed, the truth, or the man?”

Conversely, another user, #RevolutionNIG, backed the former pastor’s move to indigenous roots, stating, “If you have to worship ancestors, make sure it’s your own ancestors, not the ancestors of other people far away in another continent.”

Others, like Adebe Pius, identified on X as #nicelyPIUS, alleged that many clerics secretly combine traditions, commenting, “At least this one went back after the church packaging failed him. There are still thousands of native doctors operating churches as pastors.”

On Facebook, commentators offered contrasting views regarding financial motivations and spiritual backsliding.

Oluwafemi Akande wrote, “Church business has collapsed.” Another commenter, Olugbenga Adeni, supported this, saying, “He was unable to cash out with Christianity and decided to go back to his ancestors. The real ‘take it back.”

Ogunmoniwo Balogun Matthew urged restraint and prayers, stating, “JESUS IS LORD… He may still come back… So don’t judge him… The prodigal son did the same… came back… God accepted him again.”

Ola Ajibola similarly wrote. “He only needs our prayers at a terrifying time like these in the world… let’s lift him up in the spirit.”

Instagram users humorously speculated about his past ministry methods. A user, #staarseed7, wrote, “Person wey be babalawo on suit since. He just wan come out fully now,” while #2wyth.gbedupote wrote, “The Ancestors retrieved their own. He found truth.”

Olawale_01 commented, “Na the church members I pity. Baba has been using two-factor authentication from the beginning,” just as #i_am_candydessie said, “He just decided to stay true to himself; he has been a babalawo”

#menalonelagos supported the move, saying, “He did not dump Christianity. He just became bold and stopped pretending”

Felix’s public conversion underscores the complex relationship and ongoing dialogue between indigenous African spirituality and conventional religious institutions in Nigeria.

PUNCH reported in July that a professor of Yoruba folklore, literature and culture at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof Olusola Ajibade, noted the influence of Isese on the worship styles and music of Christians and Muslims in Yoruba land, saying that Isese was visible in the musical instruments and dance styles now common in churches, despite the religion’s historical rejection of such practices.