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Accuses Adelabu of Desperation to Become Governor.
- Safiu Kehinde
Controversial Nigerian clergyman, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has denied alleged attempt to extort N150 million from the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in exchange for “spiritual intercession” to help him become governor of Oyo State.
Ayodele, the founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, debunked the allegation while reacting to a petition filed by Adelabu to the Department of State Services (DSS).
The Minister had in the petition accused the clergyman of blackmail, fake prophecies, and repeated demands for huge sums of money and costly “spiritual items”.
According to reports, Adelabu had, in the petition dated 13th of October 2025 and signed by his media adviser, Bolaji Tunji, claimed that Primate Ayodele demanded 24 APC flags, 1,000 saxophones/trumpets worth between N50 million and N130 million, and other materials for “divine favour”.
Leaked text messages exchanged between both men, revealed how Ayodele had asked the minister to provide the items by April 1, later extending the deadline to April 4.
“Sir, I don’t do this, but because of the love I have for you,” the primate wrote in one of the messages.
The clergyman also urged the minister to recite “almu nasira” 200 times, a likely reference to Alam Nashrah, the 94th chapter of the Qur’an, and repeatedly insisted he had a divine message that Adelabu would govern Oyo State.
The minister, however, declined the requests, stating he could not afford the expensive items.
This would lead to Ayodele’s declaration in his church sermons that Adelabu had “failed” and would not become governor.
In what he described as retaliatory and malicious, Adelabu, in his petition, accused the cleric of using false prophecies to influence politics and target him for refusing to pay.
He also petitioned the Oyo State Commissioner of Police over the cleric’s alleged conduct.
In an interview with TheCable, Ayodele denied attempting to extort Adelabu.
He alleged that the minister was the one who first reached out to him through emissaries because he was “desperate” to become governor.
“I didn’t blackmail him. We didn’t have any transaction. No money was exchanged,
“I can sell my services for any amount, even N1 billion, if I provide value. But I never asked him for money. What are you doing with someone you claim gives fake prophecies?” The clergyman asked.
He explained that the request for trumpets was symbolic and not intended for his church, adding that Adelabu declined after saying he could not afford them.
“I only told him to buy trumpets as a way of seeking God’s mercy,” Ayodele said. “He sent someone to verify prices. Someone from my side followed. That’s all.”
“I don’t make prophecies because of money. God has blessed me already,” he said.
The clergyman maintained that his longstanding prophecy that Adelabu would struggle to become governor predates any interaction between them.