By Bibire Oriyomi
As Nigeria moves closer to another election cycle, one name that is already dominating political conversations is that of Primate Elijah Ayodele, the Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church.
For many Nigerians, the anticipation is not only about the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) eventually declaring winners. It is also about hearing Primate Ayodele’s prophetic position on who will emerge victorious, long before campaigns gather momentum. Over the years, this has become a familiar pattern, making his election prophecies one of the most anticipated aspects of every major electoral contest.
For decades, Primate Ayodele has consistently spoken about election outcomes, identifying likely winners while also outlining what citizens should expect from incoming administrations. His prophecies have made him one of the most discussed religious figures during election periods.
One of the earliest examples frequently associated with his prophetic ministry dates back to the election won by Chief Moshood Abiola. Despite Abiola enjoying overwhelming public support, Primate Ayodele declared that he would never occupy the office of President. Although many dismissed the prophecy at the time, Abiola never assumed the presidency before his death.
Beyond naming likely winners, Primate Ayodele has become known for giving detailed prophecies about future governments, the challenges they may face, and, in some cases, steps that could avert negative developments. This broader scope is one of the reasons many Nigerians pay close attention whenever he speaks about elections.
While several prophets make predictions during election seasons, Primate Ayodele has attracted unusual attention because he often goes beyond simply predicting victory or defeat. He regularly speaks about how candidates may emerge victorious, the political intrigues surrounding the elections, the nature of the incoming administration, and the implications for citizens.
A notable example was his prophecy ahead of the United States presidential election that returned Donald Trump to office. Before the election, Primate Ayodele warned that Trump possessed strategies capable of defeating the Democratic Party, including winning traditionally Democratic strongholds. At the same time, he cautioned that Trump’s victory would have significant global consequences.
He said:
“Donald Trump will have issues with his running mate, leading to what could be described as a ‘satanic government.’ His presidency could have disastrous consequences for the world.”
He also declared:
“If Trump wins the American election, the world will be in trouble. If Joe Biden wins again, some African nations will suffer. Both Joe Biden and Trump are not good to lead.”
As we can see, everyone today is suffering from the administration of President Donald Trump. Energy has become unaffordable for a lot of people globally because of a war Donald Trump is involved in. For the first time in history, the president of a country was arrested by Trump’s order and today, US is almost ruling Venezuela.
His prophecies regarding Donald Trump also extend to the former president’s first term. During the impeachment proceedings in 2019, Primate Ayodele declared during a church service that Trump would survive the impeachment effort.
According to him:
“The impeachment of Donald Trump is real; they are serious about it, but God will do something that will make it change. The impeachment will not happen as expected.”
Trump ultimately remained in office after the Senate acquitted him.
In Senegal, Primate Ayodele revealed that the opposition would win the election but also warned that Ousmane Sonko and Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who were politically inseparable at the time, would eventually fall apart.
He said:
“In Senegal, Sonko and Faye, I see a sort of disagreement and separation. Something is about to happen. Watch out. You will have differences that will separate you.”
At the moment, both of them have turned enemies, with Faye sacking Sonko as the country’s prime minister.
Similarly, in Kenya, when many analysts believed William Ruto stood little chance because then-President Uhuru Kenyatta openly backed Raila Odinga, Primate Ayodele repeatedly maintained that Ruto would become president.
He declared:
“Without rigging, William Ruto will become Kenya’s next president and will make the country better for the people. Of paramount importance is that he should employ a new strategy and work more on Mount Kenya, the youth, and women.”
He further warned:
“Ruto must follow up with the election closely because I see plans to rig the election. He must ensure he wins in the first round and avoid court cases hanging around his victory.”
Ruto eventually emerged victorious after a closely contested election, a development that supporters of Primate Ayodele cite as another fulfilled prophecy.
In Ghana, as far back as 2022, Primate Ayodele had warned that the then ruling party led by Nana Addo Akufo has made several mistakes that will end the reign for his party in Ghana. He then declared that John Mahama would become the next president of the country after the exit of Addo-Akufo. This was exactly what happened.
Back home in Nigeria, much of the discussion surrounding Primate Ayodele’s election prophecies centres on the 2023 presidential election.
Before the election, he repeatedly warned Nigerians against voting for the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the country would experience unprecedented economic hardship if the party retained power.
He said:
“I’m not saying anyone should not insult me; I am not scared of any human being. If Nigeria votes APC in 2023, things will be tougher… If you vote and Tinubu enters, there will be serious problems.”
He also declared:
“If Nigerians vote for APC in 2023, the country will sink. We will swim in poverty, and the economy will be in shambles. We have not yet seen hardship; if APC wins, the real hardship will come.”
@primateayodele
There is no further explanation; this is just the reality of every Nigerian since the day Tinubu was sworn in and declared that subsidy was gone. Before then, Petrol wasn’t even up to N400/Litre but today it is beyond N1,000. Naira exchanged for about N400 but today is about N1,350/$. The government has been declaring good figures for inflation, and some economic indices yet the citizens have continued to suffer, as the man of God said.
Beyond the presidential election, Primate Ayodele also made state-by-state prophecies.
“Ogun state: Dapo should strategize more because they want to fight him but I am still seeing APC.
“Oyo state: Seyi Makinde must not sleep, I am still seeing PDP in the state.
“Rivers state: I am still seeing PDP, though the election will be tough.
“In the north, PDP must work in Katsina otherwise APC will get it. In Niger, APC wants to get it at all cost, PDP will not get it right. In Kano, NNPP will do everything to maintain the power, Kwankwaso will do everything. In Kaduna, with no rigging it will be PDP but with rigging, it will be APC. Sokoto, APC is planning to unseat PDP and they will do everything to get it from them. In Benue, it will be tough between APC and PDP. APC will do everything to shake PDP.”
“In Abia state, they don’t want PDP, if care isn’t taken, Labour will win Abia state though PDP will want to rig.”…..In all these states, there is none of the prophecy of Primate Ayodele that didn’t come to pass. It happened exactly how he put them; they all happened like they were following Primate Ayodele’s script.
With another round of elections approaching, public attention has once again shifted to Primate Ayodele.
Although he has already made preliminary comments about some aspirants and political developments ahead of the 2027 elections, many believe his major prophetic declaration is yet to come. Traditionally, he not only identifies likely winners but also explains how they may emerge, the challenges surrounding their victories, and what citizens should expect from their administrations.
That expectation has made his annual election prophecies one of the most anticipated political conversations in Nigeria.
For many Nigerians, the wait is not simply for campaign rallies or party manifestos. It is also for Primate Ayodele’s next prophetic declaration—a revelation that, based on his supporters’ assessment of previous election cycles, they believe could once again shape public discourse ahead of the 2027 general elections.
