The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Elijah Ayodele, has said the political future of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections will largely be determined by the northern region, warning that electoral manipulation alone will not secure victory.
Ayodele, in a statement issued by his media aide Osho Oluwatosin, claimed that both the ruling party and opposition forces are preparing aggressively for the polls, insisting that attempts to rig the election would be countered.
He alleged that opposition parties are ready to “go to any length” to prevent Tinubu from securing a second term, including engaging in both physical and spiritual efforts.
“Some governors will not do your work. What I am seeing in the north is that they are not happy with you. Rigging may not work because oppositions are ready to rig too. They are adamant and ready to go head-to-head with you physically and spiritually,” he said.
The cleric further warned that the President is being misled by those around him, claiming that some close allies are working against his success while those who genuinely support him have been sidelined.
“You must brace up, Tinubu. The minds of the northerners have been poisoned against you, and ‘city boys’ will not work in the north. It’s better for you to quickly introduce another strategy that will address security and the economy before it’s too late,” he added.
Ayodele also stated that dissatisfaction among some northern governors could pose a significant challenge to the President’s re-election bid.
In addition, he issued a warning to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, cautioning that tensions surrounding the election could escalate.
“They are ready to stone the INEC chairman physically and spiritually. The chairman must seek God’s face before the election because those who won’t be favoured by the announcement of results will strike him,” he said.
