The Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has denied reports claiming he endorsed President Bola Tinubu during the presentation of his 2026 prophecies on Saturday, December 20, 2025.
Following media reports suggesting that the cleric openly backed the President at the event, Primate Ayodele, through a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, described the claims as a gross misrepresentation of his remarks. He stressed that at no point did he endorse President Tinubu or any political figure for a second term.
According to the prophet, he has no involvement in political endorsements, explaining that his role is strictly spiritual and prophetic.
Primate Ayodele said: “I have observed that in a national newspaper, I was quoted to have endorsed President Tinubu for a second term in office during the presentation of my 2026 prophecies on Saturday, 20th of December, 2025.
“I find it disturbing, appalling and mischievous that the national newspaper quoted me out of context despite providing clarifications. There were several media organisations at the presentation that clearly heard my position about the next election and this makes me wonder where this national newspaper got its information from.
“For record purposes, I have no business endorsing anyone for political positions; I am not a politician, and I am not seeking favour from President Tinubu; I have no reason to endorse him or anybody for anything. I am a prophet, and my words are from the Lord. The only thing I know how to do is prophesy, not endorsement.”
Clarifying his actual comments, Primate Ayodele explained that he merely compared the current administration with the previous one, stating that President Tinubu has performed better than former President Muhammadu Buhari, while also noting that integrity would play a major role in voters’ decisions during the next election.
“What I said didn’t in anyway endorse President Tinubu. I mentioned that Tinubu has done better than Buhari and that Nigerians will vote for integrity, not party alone in the next election.
“Putting the right people in the right position come 2027 is what we need. Therefore, Nigerians will not only vote for parties but also for integrity and intelligence. President Ahmed Tinubu has done much better than the former president, late Muhammadu Buhari.
“President Tinubu has good intentions for Nigerians, but the people around him are not actualising what he has committed to their hands. Tinubu means well for everybody, but the people around him are not sincere in carrying out his orders.”
Primate Ayodele urged Nigerians to disregard reports suggesting he endorsed any political candidate and called on media organisations to uphold professional ethics by seeking clarification before publishing sensitive political statements.
