The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has denied allegations of defamation levelled against him by former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, insisting that his recent prophecy concerning the politician's political ambition was never intended to malign his character .
The denial comes after Kwankwaso, through his lawyers, issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding an immediate retraction and public apology over remarks made during a church service that were subsequently circulated online .
The Controversial Prophecy
The legal dispute stems from a prophecy in which Primate Ayodele reportedly stated that Kwankwaso would betray former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi in his presidential bid . The cleric was also quoted as saying, "Kwankwaso is a fake to Obi, Kwankwaso will betray you. Kwankwaso has been paid to be vice president to Obi" .
The comments, which were made during a livestreamed sermon, quickly gained traction across social media platforms and local and international news outlets .
Kwankwaso's Legal Threat
Kwankwaso, who is the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), described the remarks as false, malicious and damaging to his reputation built over four decades of public service .
In a legal letter dated June 11, 2026, his lawyers accused Ayodele of making deliberate and unsubstantiated statements aimed at portraying the former governor as deceitful, hypocritical and insincere .
Kwankwaso's legal team demanded:
· A full retraction and public apology within 24 hours
· A written undertaking to cease publishing any further defamatory statements
The letter warned that failure to comply would result in legal proceedings seeking damages of N10 billion .
Ayodele's Response
In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele made it clear that there was no intention to defame Kwankwaso, noting that he did not directly attack his person .
"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," the cleric said .
Ayodele further stated that he has never met Senator Kwankwaso nor had any personal issues with him, stressing that there is absolutely no reason for him to deliberately target or attack the politician .
Call for Clarification
The cleric expressed disappointment that the prophecy 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 said .
He urged individuals mentioned in his prophecies to seek clarification before issuing threats or making accusations, noting that he would have explained his statement if approached .
Warning Against Video Manipulation
Ayodele also used the opportunity to warn those who manipulate his videos for personal, political or selfish agendas, describing such actions as misleading and unacceptable .
"I strongly urge those involved to desist immediately, as appropriate action will be taken against anyone found guilty of deliberately altering my messages for ulterior motives," he added .
Growing Debate
The controversy has reignited public discussion over the role of prophecies in Nigeria's political space and how such statements are interpreted by political actors and their supporters . The Kwankwasiyya Movement has insisted it will pursue legal remedies to protect its leader's reputation .
As of the time of this report, it remains unclear whether Kwankwaso will proceed with legal action following Ayodele's response to the allegations .
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