The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned President Bola Tinubu that some people within his political circle could betray him shortly before the 2027 general elections.
The warning was contained in a statement signed by the cleric’s media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, who said Ayodele believed that several people surrounding the president did not genuinely want him to succeed.
Referring to the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, the cleric alleged that many attendees were merely celebrating while concealing their true intentions.
He urged Tinubu to distinguish between genuine supporters and those who, according to him, were only interested in personal benefits.
“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.
The cleric also cautioned the president against celebrating defections into the APC, claiming that some defectors could become a burden on his re-election campaign rather than strengthen the party.
“All that they have said is not real, and you need to identify your friends before the election. You must identify those who want you and those who don’t,” he added.
Ayodele further alleged that some individuals around Tinubu would attempt to shield him from the truth and push sincere advisers away to protect their personal interests.
He warned that people who had benefited from the president’s support could eventually turn against him.
“Be mindful. People who surround you will not want you to see the truth, and they will drive good people away from you because of their selfish interests. These are the people you have helped, and they are going to betray you. It will be painful,” he said.
The cleric maintained that Tinubu needed to take decisive action before the final weeks of the election campaign, warning that prominent figures the president considered dependable might abandon him about two weeks before the polls.
He also urged the president not to be distracted by praise and celebrations, insisting that more work was needed to strengthen the APC’s campaign in northern Nigeria.
“Forget all these dances and praises; there is a lot to do in the North, and your campaign team is yet to capture the North. Take my words seriously and don’t let them fail you,” Ayodele added.
The claims and predictions were made by the cleric and have not been independently established.
