Today, Sunday, February 14, 2016 is Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele’s birthday.

Primate Ayodele has made tremendous success since 39 years ago when he became the head of a church at age 16.

He is the founder of Inri Evangelical and Spiritual Church Worldwide with branches in Nigeria, Europe and the United States.

In an interview with Vanguard newspaper, the man of God discussed what is expected of a religious leader, what the future holds for the ruling party, All Progressives Congress and why the former president Goodluck Jonathan willingly handed over power to President Muhammadu Buhari, after being defeated at the April 2015 general election.

These are the 7 things to note from his interview.

1. There’s nothing like ‘challenges’.

“I don’t believe in challenges. Everything I have seen on earth since my days in the Lord’s vineyard is just experience, not any challenge. Working for God has given me a wide experience to understand what life is all about and to take life easy. And from my experiences, I teach a lot of people. I must confess to you that if I did not work in the Lord’s vineyard I might have died.”

“My plan was to be a military man, a lawyer or a journalist. Honestly, I must say that it is a privilege and honour that God called me to work in His vineyard and I so much appreciate God that, if I would ever come again, I want to work as a prophet of God. And, on the strength of God, I want to serve people. I don’t want people to serve me or take me the way people take pastors.”

2. Birthdays are for reflections.

The man of God reveals that birthdays are not supposed to be for jamboree and merry celebrations. He stated that birthdays should be a time of reflection and deep thinking as well as thanksgiving.

“I don’t believe in birthday celebration. Birthday is a day for reflection and appreciating God and I say, ‘God, I thank you for making me what I am today. It is a day you sit down to thank God, your parents, those who have added value to your life and even those who have not added value to your life.”

3. Atiku must seek God’s face or be disgraced

Speaking on the future of politics in the country, the Primate stated that politicians need to seek God because there are trying times ahead.

“They are still facing that challenge now. Buhari should seek the face the of God for him to run his government successfully because there are challenges ahead for him and his second term will be faced with a lot of challenges. That is why I have to warn (Abubakar) Atiku that he must take precautions and seek the face of God before he takes any (political) step, otherwise, he will be rubbished.

“Also, Tambuwal and el-Rufai should seek the face of God before doing anything pertaining to 2019. There are a lot of things that will happen ahead of 2019 but national unity must not be taken for granted. The unity of Nigeria is paramount at this time because issues will come up.”

4. APC needs divine intervention.

The man of God stated that the ruling party- the All Progressives Congress is in dire need of spiritual help because of the arduous task ahead.

“Some people want to trouble Buhari’s government and he has to be steadfast on the issue of the economy. There is going to be more retrenchment this year and so, Buhari needs to take a very bold step and, again, he needs divine intervention to get things right.

“APC needs to seek divine intervention and take caution because elements that will crack the party have infiltrated it. Journalists too need prayers.

“I told you about the Nollywood artistes which is what is happening now. Senators need prayers and the Senate President must not ignore my warnings. He needs to seek the face of God because enemies are running after his bright ambition.”

5. Jonathan had a genuine mission for Nigeria.

Primate Ayodele disclosed that former president Goodluck Jonathan, had good intentions for the country when he was at the helm of affairs. He also stated that the incumbent, President Buhari is on a good mission for the country.

“Generally, we need prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari because he has genuine mission. Jonathan also had genuine mission but he didn’t prepare for presidency. But he had done what no Nigerian leader had ever done before.”

For an incumbent President to leave power just like that? It has not happened before in Nigeria. He could have turned things around. He had the pencil and the eraser. Nobody could question him.”

6. Nigeria was on the verge of disintegration.

Following the tension that was prevalent before the April 2015 general election and the expectation of a breakout of violence after the election, the Primate revealed that Nigeria was in reality, threatened by disintegration but God saved the nation.

“Nigeria was at the verge of disintegration and you know all the things that had been said about Nigeria breaking. It was not saved by soothsayers or anybody. No. It is God that used him to save Nigeria and so, we should be grateful to Jonathan for being able to avert crisis that could put Nigeria asunder. It is difficult to see somebody like that, a Nigerian who would vacate the seat peacefully the way he did.”

7. The Holy Spirit used Jonathan for the election.

On why Goodluck Jonathan relinquished power after losing the election, Primate Ayodele revealed that it was the God that used the former president to conduct the election and the Holy Spirit moved him to accept defeat.

“I am not here to judge anybody. But nobody is a saint. It was God that masterminded all that Jonathan did during the election that led to the peaceful transition. Holy spirit moved Jonathan to surrender because, if he said he would not surrender, Nigeria would not be the same today as we would be in crisis.

“So, we must salute his courage. So, Buhari also must learn from his own past experiences, losing elections three times and, at 73, God now made him President. For Nigerians, their role is to be prayerful.”