Founder of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has fired back at Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, over accusations of attempted extortion, saying the amount allegedly demanded “can’t even buy” his shoe.
Speaking during a Sunday service at his church in Oke Afa, Lagos, Ayodele dismissed the allegation that he tried to extort ₦150 million from the minister for spiritual support in his 2027 Oyo governorship bid.
“I don’t do prophecies to impress people or lure them to me,” Ayodele told his congregation. “Can ₦150 million buy my car? Can it buy my shoe? That boy doesn’t know what he’s saying. He is just pained because he knows he has lost already.”
The cleric was reacting to a report that Adelabu petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS), alleging that Ayodele demanded 1,000 saxophones/trumpets for spiritual backing, estimated to cost between ₦50 million and ₦130 million, depending on grade.
In his defense, Ayodele maintained that Adelabu was the one who approached him “in desperation” and that he never asked for money or musical instruments.
“If I collect money, I will say I collect it. I didn’t invite him. He came. Now he’s crying because the prophecy doesn’t favor him,” Ayodele said.
He accused the minister of having “mouth diarrhoea” and advised Nigerians not to entrust power to people with no spiritual discipline or maturity.
The war of words has added a dramatic twist to the build-up for the 2027 elections in Oyo State, where Adelabu, a two-time gubernatorial candidate, is expected to run again.
Observers say this is another example of how religion and politics continue to collide in Nigeria’s charged political landscape.
