In a startling pronouncement that has sent ripples through the political landscape of Oyo State, the Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has claimed to hold the spiritual “keys” to the governorship aspirations of former Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu.

In a video that surfaced on social media on Monday, the vocal cleric adopted a bold and personal tone, directly addressing the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain. Speaking with a blend of Yoruba and English, Ayodele asserted that the former minister’s path to the Agodi Government House in 2027 is strictly contingent upon his spiritual intervention.

The Primate, known for his frequent and often polarizing prophecies, went as far as to stake his religious reputation on the claim. He issued a daring challenge, stating that if Adelabu were to emerge victorious in the forthcoming election without his specific “blessings,” it would serve as proof that his divine source was non-existent.

“What you need to become governor is in my hands; come and take it,” Ayodele declared in the viral footage. “Let me boast, it is God who told me. I am challenging you that to become governor, what you need is in my pocket. If you win [without it], there is no God.”

The cleric, who referred to the former minister as his “son,” warned that failing to heed this counsel would result in another loss for the APC candidate. This development adds a fresh layer of spiritual intrigue to the brewing 2027 contest, as Adelabu, who has previously vied for the seat, seeks to consolidate his base within the APC.

While the former minister’s camp has yet to issue an official response to the Primate’s “invitation,” the pronouncement has sparked intense debate among political observers in the state regarding the influence of religious figures in the electoral process.