Reports circulating online that renowned prophet, Primate Elijah Ayodele, prophesied that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde would become Nigeria’s president have been categorically refuted by the prophet's media aide, Osho Oluwatosin.
Oluwatosin emphasized that at no point did Primate Ayodele claim that Makinde would ascend to the presidency, either in the lead-up to the 2027 elections or beyond. Instead, he clarified that the prophet advised Governor Makinde to initiate consultations for a "higher ground" in his political career, without specifically stating that this should be linked to the presidency.
In a statement, Oluwatosin urged journalists and media outlets to adhere to ethical reporting standards and avoid sensationalism, which can lead to misinformation. He expressed disappointment that respected news organizations would propagate falsehoods about the prophet’s statements.
“Primate Ayodele’s message was a call for Seyi Makinde to prepare for the next phase of his political journey. He advised that he begin a 21-day consultation process to explore opportunities for advancement rather than explicitly mentioning the presidency as a goal,” Oluwatosin said.
The media aide recounted that in a video referenced by various reports, Primate Ayodele spoke of Makinde moving to a "higher ground," without mentioning the presidency. “He warned that missing this opportunity could lead to political obsolescence,” Oluwatosin added.
He urged media practitioners to verify their sources and maintain integrity in their reporting, rather than spreading what he described as "fake news." Oluwatosin also recalled past instances when similar distortions occurred, mentioning that Primate Ayodele had not made any predictions about former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or Senator Bukola Saraki becoming president.
Concluding his statement, Oluwatosin expressed gratitude to media outlets that report accurately on Primate Ayodele’s activities while urging others to refrain from misleading narratives.