Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has boasted that N150 million is far too little to buy his shoes.
He made the remarks on Sunday during a church service in Lagos, responding to allegations of extortion brought against him by the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu.
Ayodele claimed that Adelabu’s accusations stem from frustration over a failed attempt to secure the governorship of Oyo State.
Adelabu had reportedly petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS), accusing the cleric of attempting to extort N150 million for “spiritual intercession” to ensure his election as Oyo governor. The minister also alleged that Ayodele demanded 1,000 saxophones or trumpets, with the cheapest Nigerian-grade instruments costing around N50 million and imported grade-one instruments from China totaling N130 million.
According to Adelabu, his refusal to meet these demands prompted Ayodele to issue false prophecies aimed at tarnishing his reputation and political ambitions.
During the service, Ayodele dismissed the claims, describing Adelabu as inexperienced and ignorant, and rhetorically asked, “The shoe I wear, can N150 million buy it?”
He added, “I can’t disappoint you. I can only disappoint you when you are not a good person. I carry something bigger than me. I do not make prophecies to impress or invite anyone. Take it or leave it.”
The dispute between the minister and the cleric has sparked discussions on the ethics and conduct of religious leaders.
Bayo Adelabu previously served as a deputy governor at the Central Bank of Nigeria and was the APC governorship candidate in 2019 before joining the Accord Party in 2023.
Social media users are now debating whether N150 million could indeed buy a pair of shoes, as claimed by Primate Ayodele.
