Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Oke Afa, Lagos State, has responded to allegations of defamation made by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who threatened a N10 billion lawsuit over a controversial prophecy. The cleric clarified that his remarks were prophetic, not personal attacks, and urged the public to seek clarification before making accusations.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict arose after Primate Ayodele delivered a prophecy in which he allegedly claimed that Kwankwaso would betray former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi in his 2027 presidential election ambition. Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and the vice presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), viewed the prophecy as defamatory and issued a legal threat.
In a statement released on Thursday, June 25, 2026, through his media aide Osho Oluwatosin, Ayodele denied any intent to defame Kwankwaso. He stated that he had never met the politician and held no personal grievances against him.
Ayodele's Clarification
“I wish to state clearly that the purpose of my prophecies has never been to defame, malign, or attack anyone's personality. I only speak based on what I receive from the throne of God,” Ayodele said. He added that the prophecy had been misunderstood and misrepresented by individuals close to Kwankwaso, leading to the perception of a personal attack.
The cleric emphasized that his prophecies are divine messages, uninfluenced by political considerations or personal relationships. He urged those mentioned in his prophecies to seek clarification before taking legal action.
Warning Against Manipulation
Ayodele also warned against the manipulation of his video messages for political or personal purposes. He stated that appropriate action would be taken against anyone found altering his prophecies to serve ulterior motives.
“For the sake of clarity, I would like to state that my message was greatly misunderstood and misrepresented by those interested in Kwankwaso's political career. Sadly, even the politician misunderstood my statement and perceived it as a personal attack and an attempt to malign his character,” Ayodele added.
Kwankwaso's Previous Statements
Earlier, Kwankwaso dismissed claims that he was working for President Bola Tinubu, calling such allegations “foolish.” In a video interview with Global TV Nigeria, the 69-year-old politician insisted he remains a serious opposition figure.
The threat of a N10 billion lawsuit underscores the tensions between political figures and religious leaders in Nigeria, especially as the 2027 elections approach. Primate Ayodele, known for his often controversial prophecies, continues to defend his role as a messenger of divine revelations.
