Primate Elijah Ayodele, the founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has responded to allegations of extortion and blackmail made against him by Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power. Adelabu had filed a petition with the Department of State Services (DSS), accusing Ayodele of attempting to extort N150 million from him in exchange for “spiritual intercession” to aid his bid to become the next governor of Oyo State.

The Allegations

In the petition dated October 13, 2025, signed by Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu’s media adviser, the minister claimed that Ayodele demanded expensive spiritual items, including 24 APC flags, 1,000 saxophones/trumpets worth between N50 million and N130 million, as well as other materials, as prerequisites for divine favor. Text messages exchanged between Ayodele and Adelabu revealed that the cleric requested the items to be provided by April 1, later extending the deadline to April 4.

In one of the messages, Ayodele stated:

“Sir, I don’t do this, but because of the love I have for you.”

Ayodele also instructed Adelabu to recite “almu nasira” 200 times, referring to Alam Nashrah, the 94th chapter of the Qur’an, as part of the process to receive divine favor. Despite these demands, Adelabu reportedly declined, stating he could not afford the items.

Breakdown in Communication and Retaliatory Prophecies

After the failed transaction, Ayodele publicly declared in his church sermons that Adelabu had “failed” and would not become governor, which the minister described as retaliatory and malicious. Adelabu, who has contested the Oyo gubernatorial seat twice and plans to run again in 2027, accused Ayodele of using false prophecies to influence politics and target him for refusing to comply with the demands.

In his petition, Adelabu requested the DSS and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police to investigate Ayodele for extortion, blackmail, and incitement.

Primate Ayodele’s Denial

Speaking exclusively to TheCable, Ayodele denied the accusations, insisting that no money had ever been exchanged between them. He stated that Adelabu was the one who first reached out to him, claiming that the minister’s desperation to become governor led him to seek spiritual guidance.

“I didn’t blackmail him. We didn’t have any transaction. No money was exchanged,” Ayodele said. “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?”

Ayodele explained that the request for the saxophones/trumpets was symbolic and not intended for his church. According to the cleric, the items were meant as part of a spiritual ritual to seek God’s mercy, and Adelabu was free to decline them.

Official Response from Ayodele’s Spokesperson

Ayodele’s spokesperson, Osho Oluwatosin, issued a formal statement dismissing the allegations as fabricated. The statement claimed that the request for the instruments was made in good faith and that Adelabu voluntarily sought to verify the cost of the items.

“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.”

Ayodele further emphasized that his prophecy concerning Adelabu’s gubernatorial prospects predates their interaction and that he does not make prophecies for financial gain.

“I don’t make prophecies because of money. God has blessed me already,” he said.