“₦150m ‘Spiritual Intercession’ Scandal: Power Minister Adelabu Accuses Primate Ayodele of Blackmail, Extortion — Cleric Fires Back”
Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, has accused Primate Elijah Ayodele, founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Oke Afa, Lagos, of attempting to extort over ₦150 million from him under the guise of providing “spiritual support” for his 2027 Oyo governorship ambition.
Adelabu, a former governorship candidate who recently declared interest in re-contesting the Oyo governorship seat, levelled the allegations in a petition dated October 13, 2025, addressed to the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS). The petition was signed by Bolaji Tunji, his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations.
According to the petition, Primate Ayodele allegedly demanded several costly items, including 24 APC flags for prayers, and 1,000 pieces of saxophones and trumpets valued between ₦50 million and ₦130 million, depending on the grade. The cleric reportedly asked that the items be delivered by April 1, later extending the deadline to April 4.
Text messages between the duo, sighted by TheCable, show Ayodele repeatedly urging the minister to comply, claiming the instructions were divinely mandated and insisting Adelabu would become Oyo governor if he followed them. He also instructed the minister to “recite almu nasira 200 times,” a reference to Surah Ash-Sharh (Alam Nashrah) in the Qur’an — a prayer believed to bring divine ease and support.
Adelabu, however, declined the demands, stating that the requested items were too expensive and that his political ambition was not tied to spiritual manipulation.
Following his refusal, the minister alleged that Ayodele began issuing negative prophecies declaring he would fail in the 2027 election — prophecies the minister described as retaliation.
In a series of video clips seen by TheCable, Primate Ayodele told his congregation that Adelabu had “made mistakes” and would not become governor, insisting his warnings were from God. He challenged the minister to arrest or sue him.
In his petition, Adelabu urged the DSS to investigate the cleric for alleged blackmail, extortion, and dissemination of inciting statements capable of destabilizing the political environment in Oyo State.
He also accused Ayodele of exploiting religion for personal gain, warning that such actions could undermine public confidence in the democratic process.
The petition reads in part:
“Under the guise of spiritual intercession, he demanded huge sums of money and expensive items amounting to over ₦150 million. His malicious prophecies after my refusal pose a threat to public order.”
Adelabu further petitioned the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, calling for urgent intervention to forestall public unrest.
Primate Ayodele Denies Extortion Allegations
Responding to the allegations in a telephone interview with TheCable, Primate Ayodele denied attempting to extort the minister. Instead, he claimed Adelabu was the one who initiated contact through emissaries because he was “desperate” to become governor.
“I didn’t blackmail him. We didn’t have any transaction. Again, no money was exchanged between us,” the cleric said.
“I can sell my services for any amount. Even ₦1 billion. It’s nobody’s business. Why did he come to me if he didn’t believe in me?”
He added that he is “big, blessed, and not poor,” insisting his ministry takes care of vulnerable people.
As both sides continue to trade allegations, the controversy has sparked fresh debate on the intersection of religion, politics, and the monetisation of spiritual influence in Nigeria’s electoral landscape.