A storm of accusations and denials is brewing! Primate Elijah Ayodele, a prominent religious figure, is vehemently denying claims of attempting to extort N150 million from Bayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power. But what exactly happened, and who is telling the truth? Let's dive in.
According to reports, Adelabu alleges that Primate Ayodele demanded a hefty sum – approximately N150 million – to purchase around 1,000 trumpets. Adelabu claims that his refusal to comply led to a prophecy predicting he wouldn't become the governor of Oyo State.
However, Primate Ayodele's version of events paints a different picture. He insists he never solicited money from the minister, apart from the cost of the trumpets. He says these instruments were recommended for Adelabu's spiritual benefit.
But here's where it gets controversial... Ayodele claims that Adelabu himself inquired about the cost of the trumpets. He provided an estimate and suggested the minister verify the prices. The Primate says he faced pressure from Adelabu, his personal assistant, and an intermediary, all due to Adelabu's strong desire to secure the governorship. Ayodele stated, "I didn’t ask Bayo Adelabu to bring money for prayers, I told him to ask someone from his end to go to the market and find out how much the said trumpet cost, while someone follows them from my end too."
Ayodele further explained that he informed Adelabu that securing the governorship would be challenging and that purchasing the instruments, not necessarily for his church, was a means to seek divine favor. He noted that Adelabu declined. The cleric maintains that his prophecies were not influenced by the minister's decision and that he had previously warned of the difficulties in Adelabu's political aspirations. He stated, "I have been talking about how he won’t be made governor of Oyo State for years; this is why he called me to seek solutions."
And this is the part most people miss... Primate Ayodele's defense hinges on the idea that his prophecies are not for sale and that his warnings predate any financial discussions. He asserts, "I don’t make prophecies to make money, I am blessed already, and my subsequent prophecies after our discussion about his ambition aren’t because he failed to buy the musical instrument, it can never be.”
This situation raises several questions: Was this a genuine attempt at spiritual guidance, or something more? Did Adelabu misinterpret the situation, or is there more to the story? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
