Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, founder and head of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Oke Afa, Lagos, has issued a stern warning to President Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and their supporters ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He cautioned that they may face a disgraceful defeat if urgent actions are not taken to address the persistent insecurity plaguing Nigeria.
In a statement released on Sunday, May 31, and signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Ayodele criticized Nigerian politicians for their indifference to the suffering of citizens. He specifically condemned the recent kidnapping of schoolchildren and principals in Oyo State, describing the perpetrators as heartless and accusing leaders of failing the nation.
Ayodele Condemns Politicians and Clerics
Ayodele expressed dismay at the lack of empathy among political leaders and even religious figures who have remained silent in the face of injustice. He warned that nemesis would eventually catch up with them. He questioned the effectiveness of Nigeria's security system, lamenting that repeated warnings from various quarters are often ignored by those in authority.
“Our politicians are heartless and satanic to the nation… Even our clerics have failed us, including security operatives,” Ayodele said. He added that the country would have achieved better results if it had been more responsive to warnings.
Shame on Religious Bodies
The cleric further stated that the current situation in Nigeria is a shame to religious bodies such as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN). He accused them of failing to speak truth to power. He also directly warned President Tinubu to take urgent action to avoid potential political embarrassment in the future.
“What is happening is a shame to CAN, PFN, Islamic bodies; God is not happy with this government, and if Tinubu doesn’t do all that is needed, he will be disgraced out of office,” Ayodele stated.
Criticism of Oyo Governor
Ayodele also criticized Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for participating in a political event despite the kidnapping incident in the state, calling it insensitive. On Saturday, May 30, Makinde formally accepted his nomination as the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), pledging to rebuild Nigeria through practical reforms, transparent governance, and people-centered leadership, as reported by Channels Television.
Tinubu’s Second-Term Ambition at Risk
On President Tinubu, Primate Ayodele warned that the Nigerian leader risks losing his second-term ambition if insecurity persists. He urged stronger action to secure the country and protect lives, especially those of schoolchildren. This warning comes as Nigerians prepare for the polls in January 2027.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Paul Ibe, media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, challenged the presidency over its claim that President Tinubu “took the bullet” for Nigeria’s survival. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga had defended the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, but Atiku’s camp fired back via X (formerly Twitter).
