Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that some governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and members of his cabinet may secretly work with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

 

Ayodele made the claim in a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, alleging that some individuals within Tinubu’s political circle could support Atiku’s presidential ambition despite their affiliation with the ruling party.

 

The cleric also claimed that Atiku was engaging with politicians in the United States as part of his efforts to secure victory in the forthcoming election.

 

Ayodele Warns Tinubu of Possible Political Betrayal

 

According to Ayodele, Tinubu should not assume that all the governors and senior government officials around him will remain loyal to his political ambition.

 

He alleged that some governors who appear to support the President could secretly cooperate with Atiku as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election.

 

“Some members of his cabinet will work with Atiku secretly,” the cleric said, warning that the President could face unexpected challenges from within his own political camp.

 

Ayodele further claimed that Atiku was making serious efforts to strengthen his chances of winning the election, with alleged support from American political figures.

 

“Atiku is planning seriously with the support of America to get victory. He will do a lot of things, and Tinubu shouldn’t be surprised that some governors he believes will work with Atiku secretly,” he stated.

 

However, the claims about possible defections or secret political alliances were not independently substantiated in the statement. No names of the alleged governors or cabinet members were provided.

 

The allegations come as political parties and their supporters prepare for the 2027 general election, which is expected to generate intense competition among major political figures seeking the presidency.

 

Cleric Raises Concerns Over INEC’s Preparedness

 

Beyond the alleged political realignments, Ayodele expressed doubts about the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a credible election.

 

He warned that the electoral process could be affected by violence, disputed results and other irregularities if the commission failed to address what he described as existing concerns.

 

According to the cleric, the election date was not yet properly positioned to guarantee a credible exercise, although he did not provide specific evidence to support the assertion.

 

“INEC isn’t ready to do credible election, it can be marred with violence and disappointment,” Ayodele said.

 

He further predicted that some states could experience inconclusive election results, while alleging that fake ballot papers and electoral manipulation could undermine the process.

 

“There will be serious violence and inconclusive results in some states,” he added.

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Ayodele also warned that there could be consequences if the election proceeded under the circumstances he described.

 

The allegations concerning INEC’s preparedness, potential violence and electoral malpractice remain predictions made by the cleric. They should not be taken as established facts about the commission or the forthcoming election.

 

INEC’s readiness and the credibility of the 2027 polls will ultimately be assessed through the commission’s preparations, compliance with electoral laws, security arrangements and the conduct of the election itself.

 

Ayodele Predicts Worsening Economic Hardship

 

The cleric also urged Tinubu to take urgent steps to address Nigeria’s economic challenges, warning that persistent hardship could increase public dissatisfaction with the government.

 

He argued that the President could not resolve the country’s economic difficulties without stronger contributions from members of his cabinet.

 

According to him, the government’s current approach to tackling economic hardship may not be sustainable, while inflation could rise significantly and place additional pressure on households.

 

“The economy hardship will fight harder, and the strategy to fight it isn’t sustainable,” Ayodele said.

 

He added that Tinubu’s ministers needed to take more decisive action rather than leaving the President to shoulder the responsibility alone.

 

“Tinubu cannot do this alone; his ministers ought to do something about it, and I see inflation will start rising significantly, and people will not be happy with this,” he stated.

 

Ayodele urged the President to act quickly, warning that the consequences of failing to address the situation could become clearer with time.

 

Nigeria’s economic conditions, including inflation, food prices, household purchasing power and employment opportunities, are likely to remain important issues in public debate ahead of the 2027 election.

 

The government’s handling of these challenges could also influence how voters assess the performance of the ruling APC and its presidential candidate.

 

2027 Election Expected to Test Tinubu and APC

 

Ayodele’s warning highlights the political uncertainty and economic concerns surrounding the next general election. His claims suggest that Tinubu could face challenges not only from opposition parties but also from possible disagreements or shifting alliances within the ruling party.

 

However, the alleged plans by APC governors and cabinet members to work with Atiku have not been independently verified, and the cleric did not identify those supposedly involved.

 

Similarly, his predictions about electoral violence, fake ballot papers, inconclusive results and rising inflation remain unverified forecasts rather than confirmed developments.

 

As preparations for the 2027 election continue, the conduct of political actors, the preparedness of electoral authorities and the government’s response to economic hardship will remain central to public scrutiny.