Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate and former Kano State governor, has issued a legal warning to Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church. Kwankwaso is demanding an immediate retraction and a formal apology for what he labels as defamatory statements.
Through a legal notice released by his aide, Saifullahi Hassan, Kwankwaso stated that if the cleric does not comply within 24 hours, he will sue for N10 billion in damages. The former NNPP presidential candidate claims that Primate Ayodele falsely labeled him as being fake toward Peter Obi and suggested he was paid to accept his current vice-presidential role.
The legal document, dated June 11, 2026, alleges that the cleric made these malicious remarks during a livestreamed sermon. Kwankwaso’s legal team emphasized that their client has a long history of public service, spanning roles as a senator, minister, and governor. They argue that the cleric’s accusations are premeditated and intended to damage the senator’s reputation and create discord within the NDC.
The legal team’s ultimatum requires the Primate to issue a retraction across all platforms where the comments were shared, matching the original visibility of the claims. Additionally, they are seeking a written promise that the cleric will cease making such statements in the future. Should these conditions not be met, the senator intends to pursue full legal action to secure damages and cover his legal fees.
