it is understandable that politicians live like kings in this part of the world. They have access to humongous money. They plunder the commonwealth of the nation and leave the citizens the worse for it. They live big and flaunt their ill gotten wealth in the faces of the people they have subjected to abject poverty. They buy everyone over. From the judiciary to the man on the pulpit, they spread their corrupt tentacles everywhere. But I dare say not all men who stand before God on the pulpit have been bought over. There are still a few upright, sincere, no nonsense men of God that have held their own and kept their integrity intact. One of them is Primate Ayodele Elijah, the founder and leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual church.
Primate Ayodele is known for his no nonsense stance with politicians. He does not fraternise with them. He keeps away from them even when they try to extend a hand of friendship to him. Many often wonder why this charismatic man of God does not like to be seen frolicking with politicians. Unlike many other men of God, Primate Ayodele keeps politicians at arm’s length. When they dangle their dirty carrots at him, seeking for his spiritual endorsement, he shuts his doors against them. According to Primate Ayodele “our politicians are too greedy. They are too crafty and deceitful. They don’t care about the masses who voted them into power and I cannot be friends to those who don’t care about the people. Only very few politicians are sincere to the people, but even those few, I still keep away from them.”
Everyone knows that Primate Ayodele has a big problem. He does not know how to hide things or say things with his tongue in cheek, he says things the way they are. He does not give a damn who has been offended by his pronouncements, he sets the records straight about any personality, no matter how highly placed the person is. For him, there is no negotiation with the truth, it must not be compromised.
This man of God who has been an incredible philanthropist and a life saver to many people, is regarded as possibly the most fearless prophet in the land. He is never afraid to speak truth to power. He is never afraid to look at the government in the eye and tell them where they have goofed. Over the years, he has been one of the few, if not the only one, that has been hammering about the hardship that the government of President Buhari will bring Nigerians. From day one, way back in 2015, he told Nigerians that Buhari is not the Messiah they are waiting for. And when government started penetrating the churches through prominent Christian leaders, offering them gifts and monetary inducements, Primate Ayodele stood his ground and opted to stay on the side of the truth. He cherishes his freedom to say whatever he wants about any public office holder at any time he chooses to.
This writer has been privileged to witness a few occasions when politicians called him to curry his favour. He often tells them he is wary of them. Some that have insisted they want to support him, he tells them to go and support one of his philanthropic activities and give to the beneficiaries whatever they want to give directly. He has so many Empowerment programs for the less privileged that require tons of financial support but he will never go cap in hand to any politician to beg for money.
He does everything he can to avoid getting involved in controversial situations with the politicians. This is why they all respect him. Indeed, if truth be told, they fear him. They know that in this case, they have not paid the piper, so they cannot dictate the tune. Primate Ayodele is not a man of God that can be intimidated or tossed around by any politician because he has respected himself, conducted himself properly and with dignity around politicians and will never do anything to compromise his integrity.
He remains one of the most outstanding prophets of God this country has ever produced.
---Wale Lawal (08037209290)Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz
