The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has denied defamation allegations levelled against him by the former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The politician had accused Primate Ayodele of defaming him in a prophecy he made some weeks ago, in which he said Kwankwaso would betray former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, in his presidential bid.
Primate Ayodele, in a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, said there was no intention to defame Kwankwaso in his prophecy, stating he did not attack his person directly.
The cleric explained that he simply shared the prophecy he received from God, as he often does, and that it was not based on any personal problems with the politician.
He further said that he never had any intention of defaming Kwankwaso. He said there is nothing personal between them and that he spoke based on what he received from God.
But he said the prophecy was misunderstood on a large scale.
He said: “I have been made aware that the former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has accused me of wrongly pointing fingers at him in my recent prophecy concerning his political ambition.
“I want to state that the purpose of my prophecies has never been to discredit, smear or attack the personality of anyone. I speak only that which I receive from the throne of God.
“I have not met Senator Kwankwaso before, I don’t have any personal problems with him. So there is no reason whatsoever for me to target him or attack him deliberately.
Just as I speak concerning every individual I am divinely directed to address, I spoke about him and his political aspirations based solely on the message I received.
The man of God said he respects Kwankwaso just as he respects every other person and his prophecies are not based on personal relationships.
He also said that if he had been asked for clarification, he would have clarified his statement to make it clear that he had no intention of defaming the politician.
“I have respect for Kwankwaso as I do for any other human being. My prophecies are never swayed by personal relations, sentiments or grievances, but are just divine messages and directives as revealed to me.
“I wish to clarify that my message was misinterpreted and twisted by those who have political careers to protect in Kwankwaso’s political career.
“Unfortunately, even the politician took my statement the wrong way and saw it as a personal attack and an attempt to smear his character.
“It shouldn’t have got this bad. If I had been asked to clarify, I would have explained what I meant and it would have been clear that I had no intention of defaming the politician or anyone else I have spoken about in my prophecies,” he said.
He called on those referred to in his prophecies to seek clarification before threatening or accusing.
He also warned those who manipulate his videos for personal or political agendas, saying action will be taken against them.
“I would like to request that those who are mentioned in my prophecies ask for clarification before making threats or accusations.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to warn those who use my videos for their own personal, political or selfish agendas. These actions are misleading and unacceptable.
“I strongly urge those involved to desist immediately, as appropriate action will be taken against anyone found guilty of deliberately altering my messages for ulterior motives,” he further said.
