Kwankwaso Threatens N10bn Defamation Suit Against Primate Ayodele Over Alleged ‘Betrayal’ Remarks

Rabiu Kwankwaso has threatened legal action against Primate Elijah Ayodele, demanding a retraction and apology over comments alleging he was paid to become Peter Obi’s running mate and would eventually betray the NDC presidential candidate.

Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has threatened to institute a N10 billion defamation lawsuit against the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, over alleged defamatory remarks made against him.

The threat was contained in a letter dated June 11, 2026, signed by Magaji Ibrahim (SAN) of Magaji Mato Ibrahim SAN & Co., acting on behalf of the former Kano State governor. The letter was made public on Wednesday by Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan.

According to the legal team, Ayodele made false and malicious statements during a sermon that was recorded and circulated widely on social media and other news platforms. In the sermon, the cleric allegedly claimed that Kwankwaso was insincere in his political alliance with Peter Obi and had been financially induced to accept the position of vice-presidential candidate.

The lawyers argued that the comments portrayed Kwankwaso as dishonest, deceitful and untrustworthy, while also creating unnecessary tension within the NDC and among its supporters.

“Our client’s attention has been drawn to your viral publication, which is trending on social media platforms and in local and international news outlets, wherein you published malicious and defamatory contents against him,” the letter stated.

Kwankwaso’s legal representatives demanded that Ayodele issue a full retraction and public apology within 24 hours on all platforms where the comments were published. They also requested a written undertaking that he would refrain from making similar statements in the future.

The legal team warned that failure to comply with the demands would result in court action seeking N10 billion in damages, alongside the cost of litigation.

The controversy followed comments reportedly made by Ayodele in which he warned Peter Obi that Kwankwaso would eventually undermine his presidential ambition. The cleric allegedly claimed that Kwankwaso was pursuing personal interests and would not remain loyal to Obi’s political project.

As of the time of filing this report, Primate Ayodele had not publicly responded to the letter or the demands contained therein.