Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has denied reports claiming he predicted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would lose the 2027 presidential election. The cleric accused political actors and some media organisations of deliberately twisting his comments to advance their personal interests.
Cleric says reports misquoted him
In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele explained that he made the remarks during a live church service on Sunday. He insisted that he never declared President Tinubu would lose the 2027 election.
According to him, he only said, “If Tinubu loses the election, it will be painful for him.” However, some reports wrongly portrayed the remark as a prediction that the President would lose the poll.
“I have read several reports claiming that I said President Tinubu will lose his re-election bid in 2027. I would like to state clearly that there is nowhere I made the statement being attributed to me.”
Ayodele accuses politicians of distortion
Primate Ayodele said some political actors and media organisations have repeatedly twisted his prophecies for their own interests. He described the latest reports as another deliberate attempt to misrepresent his message.
“During a live service on Sunday at our headquarters church, I spoke about the 2027 presidential election and clearly stated that if Tinubu loses the 2027 presidential election, it will be painful for him.”
The cleric added that video recordings of the service clearly captured his exact words.
Says time for prediction has not come
Primate Ayodele also said he has not revealed who will win the 2027 presidential election. According to him, he will make that prophecy public when the appropriate time comes. He also warned political actors against twisting his statements for personal or political gain.
Urges media to verify information
The cleric called on media organisations to verify his statements through his media office whenever they have doubts. He said journalists should confirm facts before publication instead of spreading inaccurate reports.
“When the time is right, I will certainly reveal who will win the upcoming presidential election. Until then, it is wrong to attribute statements I never made to me.”
Primate Ayodele urged media organisations to uphold professional standards by reporting his statements accurately and responsibly.
Read also: Primate Ayodele says rice, money won’t secure Tinubu victory in 2027
