Primate Elijah Ayodele, founder of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has denied allegations that he defamed former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, insisting that his comments about the politician were part of a prophecy and not a personal attack.
The cleric's response follows a threat by Kwankwaso to file a N10 billion defamation suit over remarks allegedly made during a sermon in which Ayodele commented on the former governor's political relationship with Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Kwankwaso, through his lawyers, accused the Lagos-based cleric of making statements that portrayed him as dishonest in his alliance with Obi and suggested that financial inducement influenced his decision to become the NDC vice-presidential candidate.
But in a statement issued by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Ayodele maintained that he merely communicated what he described as a divine revelation and had no intention of damaging the former governor's reputation.
The cleric said he had neither met Kwankwaso nor had any personal disagreement with him that would warrant an attack on his character.
"My prophecies are never intended to malign, ridicule or defame anyone. I only speak according to the revelations I receive from God," Ayodele stated.
He added that his comments on Kwankwaso's political future were no different from prophecies he had delivered concerning other political figures, stressing that he had no personal interest in the politician's affairs.
According to him, the controversy arose from a misunderstanding of his message and the actions of individuals who interpreted the prophecy through a political lens.
Ayodele said he respected Kwankwaso and harboured no ill feelings towards him, noting that his prophetic messages were guided solely by spiritual conviction rather than personal sentiments.
The cleric expressed disappointment that the issue had escalated into a legal dispute, arguing that a direct request for clarification could have prevented the misunderstanding.
He urged public office holders and political leaders who find themselves the subject of his prophecies to seek further explanation before drawing conclusions about his intentions.
Ayodele also raised concerns over what he described as the manipulation of his recorded messages by individuals seeking political advantage.
He warned that those who deliberately distort his prophecies or circulate altered versions of his sermons to advance personal or political interests would be held accountable.
The cleric reiterated that his comments concerning Kwankwaso were made in good faith and were based entirely on what he believed to be divine instruction, insisting that they should not be construed as an attempt to injure the former governor's reputation.
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