POLITICAL DECONSTRUCTION OF PRIMATE ELIJAH AYODELE AND THE PROPHETIC POLITICS OF POWER IN NIGERIA [friday Blues 1-016]

 

7 November 2025  /  friday Blues 1-016

 

POLITICAL DECONSTRUCTION OF PRIMATE ELIJAH AYODELE AND THE PROPHETIC POLITICS OF POWER IN NIGERIA

 

by Noble High Chief Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje (KSJI)

 

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Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, founder and spiritual head of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Lagos, occupies a controversial yet compelling position in Nigeria’s religious and political landscape. Known for his frequent prophecies about governance, elections, and global events, Ayodele has become a recurring voice in the public space—one who blurs the lines between spirituality, politics, and social commentary. This article offers a critical deconstruction of his political engagements and the wider implications for Nigeria’s democratic and moral evolution.

 

At first glance, Ayodele’s prophecies seem rooted in a theological commitment to divine revelation and social justice. He presents himself as a spiritual watchman, divinely mandated to warn leaders and guide the nation. Many of his predictions—ranging from election outcomes to economic upheavals—have attracted both admiration and skepticism. Supporters see him as a fearless prophet whose pronouncements often prove accurate; critics, however, describe him as a populist seer exploiting the prophetic genre for media relevance and political leverage.

 

A deeper reading of Ayodele’s interventions reveals a complex interplay between religion and politics in contemporary Nigeria. His public statements often transcend spiritual warnings, venturing into explicit political analysis and advocacy. He names political actors, predicts their fortunes, and sometimes prescribes moral or strategic directions for governments and citizens alike. This boldness has made him both influential and polarizing. In a society where faith and politics are deeply intertwined, Ayodele personifies the ongoing struggle to define the prophet’s role in a democratic context.

 

From a sociopolitical standpoint, Ayodele’s prophetic activism represents what may be called “spiritual populism.” By blending prophecy with public commentary, he appeals to the frustrations of ordinary Nigerians disillusioned by corruption, insecurity, and economic decline. His messages, often couched in biblical symbolism, resonate with citizens seeking divine meaning in political chaos. However, this fusion of divine revelation and political discourse raises ethical and epistemological questions. To what extent should a prophet influence political outcomes? Can prophecy remain sacred when it enters the volatile arena of partisan politics?

 

Ayodele’s approach also underscores a broader phenomenon—the commodification of prophecy in Nigeria’s hyper-religious society. The mass appeal of televised prophecies, predictions, and “divine forecasts” has turned spirituality into a spectacle. In this context, Ayodele’s prophetic brand becomes both a ministry and a media enterprise. His “prophecy books,” annual predictions, and headline-grabbing statements serve as instruments of influence, ensuring that religion retains its grip on public consciousness. While this visibility reinforces his relevance, it also exposes the prophetic institution to the risk of trivialization and manipulation.

 

Politically, Ayodele’s interventions reflect a moral critique of governance. He consistently calls out leaders for failing the people and neglecting divine counsel. Yet, his frequent predictions about political transitions and leadership changes can be interpreted as attempts to shape the narrative of power—turning the prophet into a moral commentator and a political actor. Whether intentional or not, such interventions inevitably affect political psychology and voter perceptions, especially in a nation where prophecy often substitutes for policy debate.

 

Ultimately, Primate Elijah Ayodele symbolizes both the promise and peril of prophetic politics in Nigeria. His voice challenges complacent governance and awakens moral reflection, yet his method blurs sacred and secular boundaries. A true political deconstruction of Ayodele’s ministry reveals a paradox: a prophet seeking to reform politics while being drawn into its theater. His legacy will depend on whether future generations see him as a courageous spiritual reformer—or as another emblem of Nigeria’s enduring entanglement between power and prophecy.

 

 

Noble Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje is a distinguished and multidimensional communicator whose work as a writer, columnist, blogger, reviewer, editor, and author bridges the intersections of global health, sustainable development, human rights, climate justice, and governance. He is the Chief of Protocols of the Abuja Grand Commandery of the Ancient and Noble Order of the Knights of St. John International, and has attained the Noble (highest) degree of the Order. A former Vice Chairman of the PPC and two-terms President of the CMO of St. Martin Parish, Lugbe Abuja, Sir Uzodinma Adirieje has been honoured as ‘Ezinna’ CMO of St. John of the Cross Parish, Amaruru, Orlu Diocese, Imo State; and ‘Ezinna’ CWO of St. Martin Parish, Lugbe Abuja. He holds the ‘Ozo’ title as ‘Nze’, and a number of chieftaincy titles including ‘High Chief Ugwumba I of Amaruru clan’, and ‘Ahaejiejemba Ndigbo Lagos State’.