Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja/Lagos, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, has formally petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS), alleging that Primate Elijah Ayodele, the founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Lagos, attempted to extort ₦150 million from him under the guise of “spiritual intercession” linked to his planned 2027 Oyo State governorship bid. The high-profile dispute has ignited a rare public confrontation between a serving minister and a prominent spiritual leader, raising questions about the intersection of religion, politics and influence in Nigeria’s electoral landscape.
In the petition, dated 13 October 2025 and signed by Adelabu’s aide, Bolaji Tunji, the minister accused Primate Ayodele of engaging in blackmail and extortion by demanding both a substantial cash sum and costly spiritual items purportedly required to secure divine intervention for his political ambition. According to details obtained by news media, Primate Ayodele allegedly instructed Adelabu to provide 24 All Progressives Congress (APC) flags and 1,000 saxophones or trumpets — ceremonial items claimed to be integral to the spiritual process — with estimated costs ranging from ₦50 million for locally made instruments to ₦130 million for imported equipment. The correspondent messages reviewed by journalists indicate that deadlines for fulfilling these demands were first set for April 1, 2025, and later extended to April 4 of the same year.
Adelabu, a former Oyo State governorship candidate and incumbent federal minister, has publicly declared his intention to contest again in the 2027 election. In his complaint to the DSS, he described the cleric’s alleged behaviour as an attempt to manipulate the political process and tarnish his reputation after he refused to comply with the expensive and unusual requests. The petition accuses Ayodele of subsequently making false and retaliatory prophecies that Adelabu would not succeed in his political ambition, actions which the minister argues are aimed at undermining both his personal standing and broader public confidence.
The minister’s petition urges the DSS to investigate Ayodele for “extortion, blackmail, and deliberate dissemination of false and inciting information,” to compel a retraction of the controversial pronouncements and to ensure accountability under relevant constitutional and criminal statutes. Adelabu has also reportedly sent a parallel complaint to the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, seeking law enforcement scrutiny of what he terms “extortive and inciting activities.”
The allegations have sparked significant public interest, not least because they involve two influential figures: a senior cabinet member closely aligned with the federal government, and a religious leader whose prophecies and pronouncements frequently attract national attention. Primate Ayodele, however, vehemently denied the accusations, asserting through his media representatives that he never attempted to extort Adelabu. In a statement released in response to the claims, Ayodele said that the only financial discussion with the minister concerned the cost of the musical instruments, and that he had explained those figures at Adelabu’s request. He insisted that he did not solicit money directly for himself but had merely suggested that the minister or his representatives verify prices locally, framing the interaction as spiritual advice rather than extortion.
Ayodele also challenged the narrative that he prophesied against Adelabu because of any refusal to pay, pointing out that his own statements about the minister’s political fortunes were rooted in his long-standing views on the subject and not tied to any financial transaction. He further claimed that Adelabu’s aides — including his personal assistant — had placed pressure on him due to the minister’s enthusiasm for the governorship race, complicating the exchange.
The controversy arrives amid heightened scrutiny of the role of faith leaders in Nigerian politics, where spiritual pronouncements can carry significant weight among voters and political actors alike. While religion and politics are deeply intertwined in the country’s public life, the intersection of spiritual influence and alleged financial demands raises complex questions about ethics, accountability and the proper limits of religious counsel in electoral contests.
Legal analysts say that, should the DSS take up the matter, the agency will likely assess whether the allegations amount to actionable offences under extortion, intimidation and public order laws. The case also highlights broader issues about how spiritual leaders engage with political aspirants and the potential for disputes to escalate when expectations and public statements collide.
As the situation develops, both supporters and critics of the principal figures are watching closely. Advocates for transparency and good governance have welcomed the minister’s decision to seek formal redress, while others caution that faith-based claims and counterclaims should be approached with due care to avoid inciting religious tensions.
For Primate Ayodele, the denials may mark the beginning of a fraught public relations battle, particularly if the DSS elects to investigate the petition. For Adelabu, the allegations underscore the challenges of navigating political aspirations in a context where spiritual influence and secular ambition frequently intersect.
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