A legal dispute has emerged between former Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, following alleged comments made during a public sermon.
In a letter dated June 11, 2026, and signed by Magaji Mato Ibrahim, SAN, of Magaji Mato Ibrahim SAN & Co., solicitors acting on behalf of Kwankwaso accused Primate Ayodele of publishing false, malicious, and defamatory statements against their client.
According to the letter, the legal team alleged that Primate Ayodele, during a sermon that was reportedly recorded and circulated on social media, made comments suggesting that Kwankwaso was “fake to Obi,” would “betray” Peter Obi, and had been “paid to be Vice President” to Obi.
The lawyers described the statements as false, malicious, and damaging to Kwankwaso’s reputation, political integrity, and credibility. They further stated that the publication was capable of causing division among supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), where the letter described Kwankwaso as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.
The legal team demanded that Primate Ayodele:
Publish a full and unequivocal retraction of the alleged statements within 24 hours.
Issue a public apology with the same level of prominence as the original publication.
Provide a written undertaking to refrain from making or republishing similar statements in the future.
The letter warned that failure to comply with the demands could result in legal proceedings, with the solicitors indicating that they would seek damages amounting to ₦10 billion, alongside other reliefs available under the law.
Some of Primate Elijah Ayodele’s predictions have attracted controversy because critics argue they did not come to pass as forecast. Among the most frequently cited are:
1. 2023 Nigerian Presidential Election
Primate Ayodele made several pre-election pronouncements regarding the chances of major candidates. Critics point to some of these forecasts as inaccurate because the eventual outcome differed from his expectations.
2. Lagos Governorship Election (2023)
The cleric issued warnings and predictions concerning the Lagos governorship race. Following the declaration of results, political commentators cited the prediction among those that did not align with the final outcome.
3. U.S. Presidential Election Predictions
Over the years, Ayodele has made predictions about American politics that generated debate after election results or political developments unfolded differently than anticipated.
4. Football Predictions
The prophet is known for forecasting outcomes of major football tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and AFCON. Some predictions did not match actual results, leading sports fans to question their accuracy.
5. Predictions on Governors and Political Office Holders
Several forecasts about governors losing re-election bids, being removed from office, or facing major political setbacks have been cited by critics when the predicted events failed to occur within the stated period.
6. Security and National Crisis Warnings
Ayodele has issued numerous warnings about security developments in Nigeria. While some supporters argue that such warnings are preventive, critics note that several predicted incidents did not materialize as described.
7. Economic Forecasts
Predictions concerning the naira, fuel prices, and economic conditions have occasionally been challenged by observers who argue that actual developments differed from the forecast.
As of the time of this report, there has been no public response from Primate Ayodele regarding the allegations and demands contained in the letter.
