By BAYO ADELABU, Nigeria’s Minister of Power, has petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS), alleging that Primate Elijah Ayodele, founder of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Lagos, attempted to extort N150 million from him under the guise of offering “spiritual intercession” for his 2027 Oyo governorship bid.
Adelabu, who has twice contested the Oyo governorship seat, recently announced his intention to vie again in 2027. In the petition dated 13 October 2025 and signed by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications, Bolaji Tunji, the minister claimed that Ayodele made “false and malicious prophecies” about him after he refused to comply with repeated demands for money and costly spiritual items.
Ayodele and his trumpeters
Cleric Allegedly Requested 24 APC Flags, 1,000 Musical Instruments
According to text message exchanges seen by TheCable, Ayodele asked the minister to provide 24 APC flags for prayer sessions, as well as 1,000 saxophones or trumpets. The cleric estimated that fairly-used Nigerian instruments would cost around N50 million, while imported grade-one versions from China could total N130 million.
The items were initially requested before 1 April, later extended to 4 April. Throughout the exchanges, Ayodele claimed he was acting on divine instruction and repeatedly assured Adelabu that he was destined to govern Oyo State. He also urged the minister to conduct a midnight vigil and recite specific religious verses for spiritual reinforcement.
‘You Will Not Win’: Prophecies After Rejection
After Adelabu declined the requests, Primate Ayodele publicly declared in his church that the minister had “failed spiritually” and would not become governor of Oyo State. In video clips reviewed by TheCable, the cleric insisted that his remarks were divine warnings and challenged the minister to arrest or sue him.
Adelabu: My Ambition Is Not Determined by Fetish Practices
In his petition, Adelabu stressed that his political aspirations are grounded in public service rather than spiritual manipulation.
He urged the DSS to investigate the cleric for alleged extortion, blackmail, and dissemination of inciting falsehoods capable of undermining public order and eroding trust in the political process.
He further argued that Ayodele’s persistent demands for money, instruments and flags — reportedly totalling over N150 million — were disguised as prerequisites for “divine favour”.
The minister also forwarded a petition to the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, citing the cleric’s “provocative and misleading pronouncements”.
Ayodele Denies Wrongdoing
Speaking to TheCable, Primate Ayodele denied all allegations, claiming that Adelabu reached out to him first.
“I didn’t blackmail him. No money was exchanged. I can value my services at any amount — even N1 billion — as long as I deliver value,” he said.
“What are you doing with someone you claim is giving fake prophecies? I am blessed, I am not poor, and I take care of vulnerable people.”
— Report culled from TheCable
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