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Founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has denied defaming the vice-presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The cleric made the clarification in a Thursday statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, after Kwankwaso, through his lawyers, threatened to institute a N10 billion suit against him for alleged defamatory remarks.
In a sermon before a congregation in his church, Ayodele had alleged that Kwankwaso was financially induced to become Peter Obi’s running mate, adding that the former Kano governor was insincere in his dealings with the ex-Anambra governor.
In his response, Ayodele said his comment deemed defamatory by the former Kano governor was prophecy he received from God that he felt obligated to share as was his custom.
The statement reads, “It has come to my attention that the former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has alleged that I wrongly accused him in my recent prophecy concerning his political ambition.
“I wish to state clearly that the purpose of my prophecies has never been to defame, malign, or attack anyone’s personality. I only speak based on what I receive from the throne of God.
“I have never met Senator Kwankwaso, nor have I had any personal issues with him. Therefore, there is absolutely no reason for me to deliberately target or attack him.
“Just as I speak concerning every individual I am divinely directed to address, I spoke about him and his political aspirations based solely on the message I received.”
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The cleric added that he has huge respect for and abhors no animosity towards Kwankwaso.
“Kwankwaso is someone I respect, just as I respect every individual. My prophecies are never influenced by personal relationships, sentiments, or grievances; they are simply divine messages and directives as revealed to me,” he stated.
Ayodele maintained that those interested in Kwankwaso’s political career had greatly misunderstood and misrepresented his prophecy.
Ayodele stated, “Sadly, even the politician misunderstood my statement and perceived it as a personal attack and an attempt to malign his character.
“It should never have come to this. If clarification had been sought from me, I would have explained what I meant, and it would have been clear that I had no intention of defaming the politician or anyone else I have spoken about in my prophecies.”
SunOnline reports that Ayodele is no stranger to political controversy.
In December, then-Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu wrote a petition to the Department of State Services (DSS) accusing the cleric of blackmail and attempting to extort N150 million from him for “spiritual intercession” to make him governor of Oyo state.
However, Ayodele denied the allegations, insisting that the minister reached out to him first because he was desperate to become Oyo governor.
