Primate Elijah Ayodele, the influential leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has sparked controversy with his bold criticism of the ongoing political developments in Nigeria. According to Ayodele, the coalition being formed by prominent politicians such as Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Aminu Tambuwal, and others is set to fail. He claims that these figures lack the necessary capabilities to improve Nigeria's situation and that their involvement in the coalition will only lead the country further into stagnation.
In a statement issued through his media aide, Oluwatosin Osho, Ayodele expressed his firm belief that the politicians backing figures like Atiku, Peter Obi, and El-Rufai are misjudging the country's needs. The prophet warned that supporting Atiku would lead Nigeria to the brink of ruin, while El-Rufai’s leadership could bring about the country’s total collapse. Ayodele believes it would be in the nation’s best interest for President Bola Tinubu to remain in office, as he perceives Tinubu as the only leader capable of correcting Nigeria’s path.
Ayodele’s criticisms didn’t stop there. He stated bluntly, “Voting for Obi will make Nigeria stagnant, Atiku will take Nigeria to the mortuary, and when you give it to El-Rufai, Nigeria will be buried.” His strong words have ignited debates over the viability of the political figures he mentioned and the future of the Nigerian political landscape.
The prophet also predicted that many governors within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are already compromised and are likely to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in preparation for the 2027 elections. Key states like Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Oyo, Osun, and Anambra are expected to be negotiated for the APC, with some PDP governors expected to make the switch before the general elections. According to Ayodele, the PDP’s governors' forum is effectively irrelevant now, as many of them are leaning toward the APC, which will weaken the party’s chances in the upcoming elections.
Ayodele then directed a stern warning to President Tinubu, advising him not to become complacent. He highlighted three key figures whose participation in the 2027 elections would jeopardize Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term. According to Ayodele, the President’s re-election depends on keeping these figures out of the opposition coalition.
Finally, Ayodele outlined three critical actions President Tinubu must take before the 2027 elections to ensure his victory. He stressed that Tinubu must focus on these crucial steps, including preventing certain influential figures from aligning with the opposition, to maintain control and successfully secure his second term in office.
