An Ondo State-based former pastor, Olabanjo Felix, has explained why he abandoned Christianity and embraced Isese, the indigenous Yoruba spiritual tradition.
Felix, who now identifies as Ifawamiri Aworanolodumare, a Babalawo of Ifa, said his decision was influenced by what he described as widespread deception and contradictions within Christianity.
The former cleric, who spoke about his decision on Saturday, alleged that many pastors in Nigeria had turned Christianity into personal and family businesses.
Felix, who previously founded Image of God Evangelical and Prophetic Ministries in Ibaka, Oka Akoko, said his departure from Christianity was not sudden, noting that he spent about two years examining his beliefs before taking the decision.
He said he consulted several Christian clerics during the period in an attempt to resolve his doubts, but eventually became convinced that he could no longer continue as a Christian minister.
According to him, he also considered converting to Islam and studied the Yoruba translation of the Quran before eventually choosing Ifa.
“I became tired of Christianity because of the confusion and what I perceived as deception. I consulted other pastors because I wanted to be sure that I was not simply mistaken about my convictions, but I eventually made up my mind to leave,” he said.
Felix said his interest in Ifa grew from his experiences with herbs and roots, which he claimed strengthened his belief in traditional Yoruba practices.
He disclosed that he later contacted the Araba of Isararemọ, Oluṣẹgun Latunji Aifuwapẹ, after finding him on Facebook and expressed his desire to learn Ifa.
The former pastor also rejected the description of Ifa practice as fetish, insisting that his activities centred on prayers, supplications, herbs and roots.
Felix said he publicly announced his departure from Christianity because people continued to address him as a pastor despite his decision to leave the ministry.
“I made the announcement because people kept calling me pastor. I no longer practise Christianity and I did not want people to be misled,” he said.
He further alleged that some Christian clerics who publicly condemn traditional religious practices secretly approach Ifa practitioners for divination.
“There is too much hypocrisy. Some pastors who condemn Ifa publicly still contact us privately for divination. I could not continue with such a contradiction, which was why I decided to openly renounce Christianity,” he added.
Felix, who said he spent more than three years as a pastor, maintained that his transition followed a prolonged period of personal reflection rather than a sudden change of faith.
He also disclosed that people from different parts of the world visit the Ifa centre where he now practises to learn about the Yoruba spiritual tradition.