The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has claimed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may be pressured to step aside for former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Ayodele alleged that the move would be driven by the international community, including the African Union (AU), European Union (EU), the United States, and the United Kingdom, in collaboration with influential local figures such as T.Y. Danjuma, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
According to the cleric, Jonathan is being positioned to join a coalition against the current administration, with the intention that he contests the 2027 election against President Bola Tinubu and serves only a single term.
“I see the AU, UK, USA, EU and some local actors like T.Y. Danjuma, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Obasanjo asking Atiku to step down for Jonathan ahead of the 2027 presidential election, even within the coalition,” Ayodele said.
“They will compel Jonathan to join the coalition and ensure he emerges as the candidate to challenge Tinubu in 2027.
“It will be a difficult move, but I see it already being planned. The meetings began in late December, but Tinubu is unaware of what is being put together against him.”
Ayodele further restated his earlier prophecy concerning opposition to Tinubu from the United States.
“As I have said before, the US will be Tinubu’s greatest opposition. Trump wants to see Tinubu removed from office, unless the president makes a very bold political move.
“The international community will be involved in Nigeria’s election, and we must be cautious,” he added.