Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, has accused Primate Elijah Ayodele, founder of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Lagos, of blackmail and an attempt to extort ₦150 million in exchange for “spiritual intercession” to secure his 2027 Oyo governorship ambition.
Adelabu made the allegation in a petition dated October 13, 2025, addressed to the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The petition, signed by his media aide, Bolaji Tunji, claims Ayodele issued false prophecies after the minister rejected demands for money and costly spiritual items.
According to text messages between both men, Ayodele, often making predictions about Nigeria’s political and economic developments, asked Adelabu to procure 24 APC flags for prayers and 1,000 saxophones or trumpets.
He priced the instruments at ₦50 million for Nigerian fairly used pieces or ₦130 million for imported grade-one versions from China.
Ayodele initially gave an April 1 deadline before extending it to April 4. “Sir, I don’t do this, but because of the love I have for you,” he wrote in one message.
He also urged Adelabu to “recite almu nasira 200 times,” insisting his instructions were divine and assuring the minister he would become Oyo governor.
After Adelabu declined, Ayodele told his congregation that the minister had “failed” and would not govern the state.
In a video circulating, the cleric described his messages as “warnings from God” and dared Adelabu to arrest or sue him.
Adelabu: My Ambition Is Service, Not Manipulation
In his petition, Adelabu said he rejected the cleric’s demands because his political ambition “is rooted in genuine service, not spiritual manipulation or fetish practices.”
He urged the DSS to investigate Ayodele for alleged extortion, blackmail, and dissemination of inciting prophecies.
Part of the petition reads: “Since his tenure as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Primate Ayodele has persistently approached him with unsolicited offers of spiritual intervention. Under this guise, he demanded over ₦150 million in cash and items as prerequisites for divine favour. Following the minister’s refusal, he embarked on malicious and false prophecies designed to discredit him.”
Adelabu argued that Ayodele’s remarks—including claims that he would fail because of his association with the “Èmi Lòkan” slogan—pose a threat to public order and the integrity of Oyo’s political process. He also petitioned the Oyo State Commissioner of Police.
Reacing, Ayodele denied the allegations, insisting Adelabu was the one who approached him. “I didn’t blackmail him. No money was exchanged,” he said.
“I discussed terms he didn’t agree with. I can sell my services for any amount—even ₦1 billion—if I’m providing value. Why approach me if you don’t believe in me? I’m not poor; I take care of vulnerable people. I’m blessed.”
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