COMMENTARY
“₦150 Million Can’t Buy My Shoe” — Primate Elijah Ayodele, Fires Back at Power Minister, Bayo Adelabu Over Alleged Extortion Claim, DSS Petition and Oyo 2027 Ambition
Primate Elijah Ayodele, the founder and spiritual head of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has strongly dismissed allegations that he attempted to extort ₦150 million from the Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu, declaring that the amount is insignificant compared to his personal worth.
The outspoken cleric made the remarks on Sunday during a church service at his ministry headquarters in Oke Afa, Lagos, while reacting to reports that Adelabu had petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS), accusing him of blackmail and attempted extortion under the guise of “spiritual intercession” to secure victory in the Oyo State governorship race.
Ayodele’s comments followed a report by TheCable detailing Adelabu’s petition to the DSS, in which the minister alleged that the cleric demanded ₦150 million and additional items to spiritually support his political ambition.
Adelabu, who has contested the Oyo governorship election twice in the past, has already signalled his intention to run again in the 2027 election.
According to the petition, the minister accused Ayodele of demanding 1,000 pieces of saxophones or trumpets, claiming that the least expensive, fairly used Nigerian-grade instruments would cost about ₦50 million, while imported grade-one instruments from China would amount to ₦130 million.
Adelabu further alleged that his refusal to comply with the demands prompted the cleric to issue what he described as false prophecies aimed at damaging his image and undermining his political aspirations.
However, in a statement released on Saturday, Ayodele flatly denied the extortion allegations, insisting that Adelabu approached him out of desperation. The cleric maintained that the minister openly expressed a willingness to do anything necessary to become governor of Oyo State.
Escalating his response during Sunday’s church service, Ayodele described Adelabu as “a boy” who “doesn’t understand what he is saying”, while dismissing the ₦150 million figure referenced in the petition.
“The shoe I wear, can ₦150 million buy it ?” the cleric asked rhetorically, drawing murmurs from the congregation.
He further defended his prophetic ministry, insisting that he neither solicits politicians nor commercialises prophecies.
“I can’t disappoint you. I can only disappoint you when you are not a good person. I carry something bigger than me,” Ayodele said.
“I am not doing prophecies to impress you or invite you to me. I don’t do prophecies for you to come and do enquiries. Take it, or you leave it.”
The INRI leader also challenged claims that he collected money from Adelabu, stressing that he would not conceal such actions if they were true.
“If I collected money, I would openly say I collected money. But I did not collect money, and I did not invite him.
“So, the boy doesn’t understand what he is saying. He is a boy. He doesn’t understand. Don’t give power to those who have mouth diarrhoea,” he stated.
Doubling down on his remarks, Ayodele again mocked the ₦150 million figure, extending his criticism to the value of his personal assets.
“Can ₦150 million buy my car ? The shoe I wear, can ₦150 million buy it ? Leave that person alone. He is a small boy. He knows he has lost that why he is pained.”
The public exchange has further heightened political and religious tensions ahead of the 2027 Oyo governorship race, as both parties maintain sharply opposing narratives over the controversial allegations now before security authorities.