Primate Elijah Ayodele, founder and spiritual leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has issued a strong warning to Nigerians against accepting rice distributed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that more hunger and economic hardship still lie ahead for the country.
In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, October 2, 2026, the cleric criticised the ruling party and urged citizens not to allow temporary food handouts to influence their judgment amid ongoing economic challenges.
“More hunger is coming to Nigeria. The APC government brought hunger to Nigeria. Stop collecting rice from the APC,” Ayodele said.
In a more detailed version of the warning reported across media platforms, he added: “Real hunger is still coming to Nigeria, you’ve not seen anything. APC have brought hunger to Nigerians. The rice you’re collecting from them will bring more hunger, depression and troubles. Stop collecting rice.”
Ayodele’s remarks come against the backdrop of persistent public concerns over rising food prices, the high cost of living, and widespread economic hardship facing many Nigerian households. Rice remains a staple food in the country, and its distribution by political parties or government-linked programmes has frequently been used as a form of palliative or campaign support.
The cleric argued that such distributions offer only short-term relief and do not address the root causes of the economic difficulties. He called on Nigerians to look beyond immediate material benefits and focus on the broader conditions affecting their livelihoods.
This latest statement follows an earlier message from Ayodele in late September 2026, in which he cautioned Nigerians against collecting any items or money from politicians in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections. In that message, he advised citizens to “vote your conscience” and support candidates who would genuinely serve the people’s interests, while remaining prayerful and vigilant.
Ayodele, known for his frequent public prophecies and commentary on national issues, has previously spoken out against the use of rice and other food items as campaign tools. In earlier statements, he has described politicians who campaign with bags of rice as undeserving of re-election, warning that accepting such inducements could “mortgage” voters’ lives for years.
His October 2 warning has generated reactions on social media, with some users questioning his stance on the APC and referencing his past political comments, while others engaged with the broader debate on food palliatives and vote inducement in Nigeria.
The comments add to ongoing national conversations about the effectiveness of government and political party interventions aimed at cushioning the effects of economic reforms and inflation. Food affordability continues to dominate discussions in many communities as households grapple with elevated prices of essential commodities.
As of the latest reports, neither the APC nor the Presidency had issued an official response to Ayodele’s specific warning.
Ayodele’s statements underscore the intersection of religion, politics, and economic hardship in Nigeria, where spiritual leaders frequently weigh in on matters of public concern and governance.
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