Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has warned President Bola Tinubu to be cautious of people within his political circle ahead of the 2027 presidential election, predicting that some of his trusted allies could turn against him shortly before the polls.
The cleric’s warning was contained in a statement issued by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, in which he questioned the loyalty of individuals surrounding the president.
Ayodele alleged that many of those who publicly celebrated Tinubu during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential council might not genuinely support his re-election ambition.
He urged the president to distinguish between those who sincerely want him to succeed and those allegedly motivated by personal interests.
According to the cleric, politicians defecting to the APC should not automatically be regarded as an advantage to Tinubu’s campaign, warning that some could become a liability rather than strengthen his chances in 2027.
“Majority of the people at the inauguration don’t wish you well, Tinubu. They are just there for fun and to celebrate with bitterness,” Ayodele said.
He further alleged that some individuals appointed by the president were misleading him and attempting to distance him from people who had supported his political journey.
Ayodele cautioned Tinubu against being carried away by public praise and political celebrations, insisting that his campaign team still had considerable work to do, particularly in northern Nigeria.
“Two weeks to the election, if you don’t act and take a drastic step before it’s too late, major people you think are serious will betray you,” he warned.
The cleric also urged the president to pay closer attention to his political strategy in the North, claiming that his campaign had yet to secure sufficient support in the region.
His comments come as political parties and their potential candidates begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general election.
However, Ayodele’s statements remain predictions and allegations; they do not establish that any member of Tinubu’s political circle intends to betray him.
