Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), has threatened legal action against Elijah Ayodele, Primate of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church over allegations that he was secretly paid to undermine Peter Obi’s presidential ambition, escalating a growing clash between politics and prophecy ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
The former Kano State governor, through his lawyers, Magaji Mato Ibrahim, SAN & Co., accused the outspoken cleric of defamation following remarks made during a live-streamed church service that have since gone viral on social media. In the broadcast, Ayodele allegedly described Kwankwaso as “a fake to Obi,” claimed he would eventually betray the NDC presidential candidate, and suggested that his emergence as Obi’s running mate was the result of undisclosed payments.
In a formal demand letter, Kwankwaso’s legal team described the statements as false, reckless and malicious, arguing that they were capable of seriously damaging his reputation and undermining public confidence in his character and political credibility. The lawyers maintained that the allegations were presented as prophetic revelations without any factual basis and had been widely disseminated to millions of Nigerians through traditional and digital media platforms.
The letter demanded an immediate retraction of the comments and an unreserved public apology to be published through the same channels used to circulate the original statements. It warned that failure to comply could leave the former governor with no option but to pursue legal remedies.
The dispute follows Ayodele’s earlier warning to Peter Obi against choosing Kwankwaso as his running mate, insisting that the alliance would hurt rather than strengthen the former Labour Party candidate’s presidential prospects. The cleric’s remarks sparked widespread debate among supporters and critics of both politicians, further highlighting the increasing influence of religious commentary in Nigeria’s political discourse.
Kwankwaso’s lawyers argued that their client’s long-standing record in public service, including his tenure as governor of Kano State and years in national politics, made the allegations particularly damaging. They insisted that public figures, including religious leaders, must be held accountable for statements that could injure the reputation of others.
As of press time, Ayodele had not publicly responded to the allegations or the demands contained in the legal notice.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
