Loading ...ABUJA, NIGERIA — The political landscape has erupted into a fierce war of words following a formal legal onslaught by the Kwankwasiyya Movement and its leader, the Vice-Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, against the Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, over an alleged defamatory “betrayal prophecy.”
In an explosive press statement released by the Kwankwasiyya Movement, signed by its spokesperson, Dr. Habibu Sale Mohammed, the political group warned that “no individual is above the law,” threatening to aggressively pursue legal remedies up to a rumored N10 billion lawsuit against the prominent cleric for character assassination.
However, in a swift counter-response, Primate Ayodele has vehemently denied the defamation allegations, insisting his divine messages are being deliberately twisted and misinterpreted by political actors.
The Spark: A Prophecy of ‘Betrayal’ and ‘Undercover Payments’
The legal battle line was drawn after a video from a live-streamed church service went viral on social media. During the broadcast, Primate Ayodele allegedly made highly controversial statements regarding the freshly formed political alliance between the NDC Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and his running mate, Senator Kwankwaso.
The cleric allegedly described Kwankwaso as “a fake to Obi,” prophesying that the former Kano State Governor would eventually betray Peter Obi’s presidential ambitions and suggesting that Kwankwaso’s acceptance of the vice-presidential slot was fueled by undisclosed financial inducements.
Kwankwaso’s legal team, Magaji Mato Ibrahim (SAN) & Co., immediately shot a fierce demand letter to the cleric, describing the statements as false, reckless, and malicious propaganda disguised as divine revelation.
Kwankwasiyya’s Position: “No One is Free to Defame”
In their official press statement, the Kwankwasiyya Movement declared that while they embrace democratic criticism, they will no longer fold their arms and watch the manufactured destruction of their leader’s hard-earned reputation.
“There is a clear distinction between legitimate political criticism and the deliberate publication of falsehoods designed to deceive the public, damage reputations, or create divisions among supporters,” Dr. Habibu Sale Mohammed stated.
“Whether the source of the falsehood is a politician, a cleric, a traditional ruler, a media personality, or any other public figure, we shall not hesitate to pursue every lawful remedy available.”
The group noted that Kwankwaso’s growing acceptance across Northern Nigeria under the NDC banner has thrown panic into rival political camps, leading to desperate personal attacks.
Primate Ayodele Hits Back: “I Speak Only from the Throne of God”
Responding rapidly through his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele maintained that his comments had absolutely nothing to do with personal animosity or political bias, explaining that he has never even met Kwankwaso in person.
The cleric insisted that the controversy was manufactured by overzealous politicians who misinterpreted a purely spiritual warning meant to guide the actors.
“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,” Ayodele defended.
“Sadly, even the politician misunderstood my statement and perceived it as a personal attack. It should never have come to this. If clarification had been sought from me, I would have explained what I meant.”
Ayodele further issued a stern warning against social media users and political operatives who maliciously crop or manipulate his video broadcasts to score cheap political points.
The 2027 Stakes
The swift, aggressive legal backlash from the Kwankwaso camp highlights how fiercely protected the new Obi-Kwankwaso ticket is ahead of the next general elections. Having established the NDC as a formidable alternative platform, the opposition cannot afford to let prophetic narratives brand their alliance as unstable or built on financial deception.
As the ultimatum delivered by Kwankwaso’s legal team ticks away, the public waits to see if the Kwankwasiyya movement will officially file the N10 billion suit in a court of law, or if the prominent prophet’s clarification will de-escalate the multi-billion naira holy war.
