(Apples Bite Magazine) – Power Minister Bayo Adelabu and Primate Elijah Ayodele of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church are embroiled in a public dispute over allegations of extortion linked to the minister’s 2027 Oyo State governorship ambitions.
Adelabu, who has declared his intention to contest the election, has accused the cleric of blackmail and attempting to extort him through repeated demands for money and spiritual items.
In a petition dated October 13 and submitted to the Department of State Services (DSS), signed by his special adviser on strategic communications, Bolaji Tunji, the minister alleged that Primate Ayodele demanded 24 APC flags and 1,000 trumpets for spiritual purposes.
According to the petition, the cleric estimated the cost of the instruments at between N50 million for Nigerian fairly-used items and N130 million for new imported ones from China.
The petition included text messages showing Ayodele requesting that Adelabu bring the items for prayers, extending deadlines for their delivery, and repeatedly seeking phone conversations with the minister.
The cleric also instructed the minister to “recite almu nasira 200 times,” claiming he was acting on divine instruction.
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Adelabu stated that he rejected these demands, emphasising that his political ambition is driven by a desire to serve, not by spiritual influence.
He further alleged that after his refusal, Ayodele began issuing prophecies against him, including predictions that he would not become governor.
The minister has asked the DSS to investigate the cleric, compel him to retract the prophecies, and issue a written apology. He also filed a separate petition with the Oyo State commissioner of police.
Cleric Denies Allegations
Primate Ayodele has strongly denied the accusations.
In a statement through his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, and in comments to TheCable, the cleric said Adelabu approached him first through emissaries seeking spiritual support for his gubernatorial ambitions.
Ayodele maintained that he did not demand money, explaining that the cost of the trumpets was only discussed because Adelabu himself requested the information.
“I didn’t blackmail him. We didn’t have any transactions. No money was exchanged,” he said. “He said he was willing to give anything to become governor. I told him to buy the trumpets for his own good, not for my church.”
The cleric said he only advised the minister to send someone to the market to verify the prices, and that the items were recommended for Adelabu’s benefit, not as a condition for spiritual assistance.
According to Ayodele, Adelabu’s personal assistant and other associates contacted him repeatedly because the minister was actively seeking intervention regarding the Oyo governorship ticket.
He insisted that he had long predicted Adelabu would struggle to become governor, and that his recent prophecies were not connected to their interactions.
“I don’t issue prophecies in exchange for money,” he stated, adding that his predictions regarding Adelabu’s political prospects had been consistent for years.
Investigation Pending
As of the time of this report, authorities have not announced any outcome from investigations into the allegations.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
