Nigerian music star Abolore Akande, popularly known as 9ice, has revealed the intense spiritual ordeal that led him to abandon Christianity and Islam in favour of traditional African beliefs.
Speaking during an emotional sit-down on “The Nancy Isime Show,” monitored by Persecondnews, the Gongo Aso crooner recounted a harrowing experience that changed the course of his spiritual journey.
“I have experienced spiritual battles several times,” he said. “But the most intense was in 2009/2010. I was in my house vomiting blood consistently—for six months.”
Stunned by the news, the show’s host, Nancy Isime, asked if a medical condition was to blame.
9ice’s response was firm: “No, it wasn’t medical. It was so serious I had to leave my house. That’s when someone told me, ‘Go and accept Ifa now, so you can be protected.’ And I did.”
He explained that this was a major turning point in his life
“The first time I encountered Ifa was during that crisis. I just wish I had known Ifa from the beginning.”
When asked about his religious identity today, 9ice didn’t hesitate, saying: “I’m not a Christian. I’m not a Muslim. I’m a herbalist. I tell people, and they run away from me. But I’m an African. That’s what I practice. I’ve found my own light, in my own way.”
Drawing a parallel with late Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, he said: “When Fela used to visit Ogun [the Yoruba god of iron], we mocked him. We didn’t understand. But now I know.”
Quoting a line that has guided his spiritual outlook, 9ice added: “God said, ‘I will never come to you in a language different from your people’s.’ We’ll understand—eventually—that this black continent has its own messengers.”
He concluded with a metaphor to explain his belief in spiritual plurality: “Is there only one road to Lekki Phase 1? No. You can take this way, and I’ll take that way—as long as we arrive with loyalty and sincerity. That’s all that matters.”
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