Kwankwaso Threatens N10 Billion Defamation Suit Against Primate Ayodele

Kwankwaso Threatens N10 Billion Defamation Suit Against Primate Ayodele.

A fresh dispute has emerged between the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele. Kwankwaso has threatened to file a N10 billion defamation suit against the cleric over remarks made during a church service .

The former Kano State governor, through his lawyers Magaji Mato Ibrahim, SAN, & Co., issued a formal demand letter dated June 11, 2026, calling for an immediate retraction and public apology.

The controversy began when Primate Ayodele, during a sermon that was recorded and livestreamed, made comments regarding Kwankwaso’s political ambitions. According to the legal letter, the cleric allegedly stated that “Kwankwaso is fake to Obi, Kwankwaso will betray you, Kwankwaso has been paid to be vice president to Obi” .

The remarks quickly spread across social media platforms and news outlets, drawing the attention of Kwankwaso and his legal team.

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In the demand letter, Kwankwaso’s lawyers described the statements as “false, malicious, deliberate and premeditated” . They argued that the comments were designed to portray the former governor as deceitful and insincere, and to create division within the NDC and among its supporters .

The legal team pointed to Kwankwaso’s decades-long career in public service, which includes serving as Governor of Kano State for two terms, Minister of Defence, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Senator .

The letter demanded that Primate Ayodele publish a “full, direct and unequivocal retraction and apology” on all platforms where the remarks were circulated, and provide a written undertaking to cease making further defamatory statements .

If the demands are not met within 24 hours, Kwankwaso’s lawyers warned they would proceed with legal action seeking N10 billion in damages.

Primate Ayodele has denied any intention to defame Kwankwaso. In a statement issued through his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the cleric insisted that his remarks were based on a prophecy he received from God and were not a personal attack .

“It has come to my attention that the former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has alleged that I wrongly accused him in my recent prophecy concerning his political ambition,” Ayodele said.

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“I wish to state clearly that the purpose of my prophecies has never been to defame, malign, or attack anyone’s personality. I only speak based on what I receive from the throne of God” .

The cleric stressed that he has never met Kwankwaso personally and has no personal grievance against him. “I have never met Senator Kwankwaso, nor have I had any personal issues with him. Therefore, there is absolutely no reason for me to deliberately target or attack him” .

He described Kwankwaso as someone he respects and said his prophecies are never influenced by personal relationships, sentiments, or grievances . He also suggested that his message had been misunderstood and misrepresented by individuals interested in Kwankwaso’s political career .

“If clarification had been sought from me, I would have explained what I meant, and it would have been clear that I had no intention of defaming the politician,” Ayodele said.

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This is not the first time Primate Ayodele has found himself at odds with a public figure. In December, the then Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS), accusing Ayodele of blackmail and attempting to extort N150 million for “spiritual intercession” related to his governorship ambition in Oyo State . Ayodele denied the allegation at the time, maintaining that Adelabu had approached him first .

As of now, it is unclear whether either party in the current dispute has initiated formal court proceedings.

Kwankwaso Threatens N10 Billion Defamation Suit Against Primate Ayodele.