He has always stood out from the rest of the pack. From the outset, he made it clear he was going to be different from the rest. Everything was different and unique about his style. Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader and founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has always operated his prophetic ministry like a man on a mission. For close to thirty years or possibly more, Primate Ayodele has consistently churned out groundbreaking prophecies that have totally defined him and his prophetic ministry. Many of these prophecies that were considered controversial at the time he foretold them gave him the integrity he has earned for himself today when they came to pass. And even when his critics and detractors still insist he didn’t get it right, he never pays attention to them, he forges ahead with his ministry and goes about his calling as a prophet without letting all of the hue and cry over his prophecies distract him one bit.
Primate Ayodele did not plan to become a celebrated and globally acclaimed prophet. He did not set out to be a prophet whose popularity would soar to the point that he has become some sort of celebrity himself, known and recognized well within the African continent and beyond. That was not part of his intentions. All he wanted was to do God’s work as honestly and as consistently as he can. But, somehow, owing to the impressive accuracy of his prophecies, something he’s done consistently for over two decades, he is today arguably the most talked-about prophet in the country. He has consistently been in the news for several years now and still counting, not because he courts controversies, but because his works speak for him. In situations where other prophets fear to tread and make spiritual pronouncements, Primate Ayodele will foretell on such situations and make startling prophecies that often leave many bewildered when they eventually come to pass. But, he will always make something very clear, like he often does, he will not speak until God speaks to him before he finally makes his prophecies. This has earned him the respect of many and increased his followership base. As we speak, the church which took off on a small piece of land has grown in size and, in the coming months, celebrate the opening of its new ultra-modern Auditorium expected to seat comfortably over 30,000 worshippers. But the celebrated cleric rarely likes to blow his own trumpet. He will not, for instance, tell you how many orphans, widows, aged and unemployed youths he feeds and supports periodically.
Unlike many of his contemporaries who have become government puppets and contractors just to sustain their ministries and maintain their flamboyant lifestyle, Primate Ayodele has kept his distance from the government. He finds it utterly disturbing when a man of God begins to hobnob with government officials just so he can be privileged to pick up the crumbs that fall from their table. According to Primate Ayodele, while he is not saying the prophet and the government should be enemies, he believes one of the prophet’s primary duties is to guide the government, pray for them, offer them spiritual cover and be bold enough to tell them the truth when they err. And that is something he, Primate Ayodele, has been doing consistently for several years running. Expectedly, the government is often uncomfortable about his uncompromising stance on issues relating to policies that affect the wellbeing of the citizenry. While the other pastors will keep quiet and turn away from such contentious issues, Primate Ayodele will stand firm and boldly tell them the consequences of their actions should they fail to heed the word of God. Time and time again, despite many overtures from the government to buy him over, he has insisted he will remain forever on the side of God and truth.
For instance, Primate Ayodele was the first cleric and notable prophet to come out openly and angrily to reject and condemn the Companies Allied and Matters Act (CAMA) which specifies that religious organizations can be taken over by government in the event of fraudulent activities or mismanagement. It was a visibly angry Primate Ayodele who dared the government to come and take over his church if they can, warning that should they try it, he will bring upon them the wrath of God. Where the other prophets and pastors were speaking from both sides of their mouths, scared the government could clamp down on them if they speak the truth, Primate Ayodele made it clear that government does not have any right to interfere in the affairs of his church. As far as he is concerned, he has not earned a kobo from the government, neither does he intend to, so they do not have any right or power to take over his church.
Even the president’s spokesman, Femi Adesina will be the first to tell you Primate Ayodele is a tough nut to crack. He fears nobody, he fears no government because he has not wined and dined with any administration. Many will recall Femi Adesina’s feeble attempt to drag the primate’s reputation in the mud, claiming that his prophecies about the government have not come to pass. And of course, the Primate who shocked Nigerians when he revealed that Femi Adesina was like a son to him so he would not join issues with him, still took time to break down and explain the prophecies Adesina was trying to rubbish, giving facts, dates of release of the prophecies and when they came to pass. From that moment, it was clear who was saying the truth and who wasn’t. Femi Adesina has not spoken again since then.
Consistently, Primate has continued to warn the government on the issue of insecurity, sometimes insisting that insiders within the government are behind the heavy funding the terrorists and bandits are enjoying from the outside world. He has consistently warned Nigerians that under the Buhari led administration, they will have to contend with the most severe hardship they possibly ever faced, which is what is happening right now. And he says this without giving a hoot whose ox is gored. He believes he owes no one no apologies, so long as he is speaking the truth as directed by God.
Primate Ayodele is certainly not the kind of prophet anyone can attempt to ridicule. You can ignore him if you do not like him personally. But you cannot dismiss his works neither can you ridicule his prophecies. The records are there for all to see. His documented prophecies are there in his books ‘Warning To The Nations,’ He also not so long go released a book, a compendium of over 10,000 Fulfilled Prophecies, all by the outstanding man of God, Primate Ayodele Elijah. You can also go on the internet and cross-check these prophecies and their fulfillment ratio. It is astonishing what this man has achieved. Little wonder why he has become friends with many top African leaders and several European and American top government functionaries who have been impressed by the accuracy and veracity of his prophecies.
It is understandable that some of the so called elites, politicians and power brokers in Nigeria are wary of Primate Ayodele. And the reason is simple, whatever prophecy Primate Ayodele declares about you will surely come to pass. And he is fearless. He is audacious. He is tenacious. And he’s no hypocrite, he will say it to you as it is without giving a hoot whose ox is gored. He is not ready to massage your ego. If you are a leader and the Lord says you shall pay for your sins against the people, Primate will tell you exactly as the holy spirit has led him, no matter how highly placed you are. It is only when a man is sure of himself and confident of his works that he can dare to look at the powers that be in the eye.
Whether some will admit it or not, truth remains that Primate Ayodele has made a massive name for himself. He has emerged the most popular prophet in the country. Power brokers, political leaders and aspirants all seek for his counsel and ask for direction and guidance. He has sat down with some of the most prominent personalities in this country to seek God’s face and guidance on their behalf. Yet, Primate Ayodele remains humble through it all. He does not make noise about his network of powerful individuals, he is more concerned with that which God has sent him to do. And that includes giving endlessly to the needy around him. This is another passion of this revered man of God many don’t know about. That is a story for another day. People will be amazed at the degree with which this kind and unassuming gentleman has continued to touch lives in his own little corner without making too much noise about it.
-WALE LAWAL
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