The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is considering replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ayodele made the claim in a statement issued through his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, where he renewed his criticism of the ruling party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, insisting it remains a politically risky decision that could deepen internal tensions within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the cleric, Tinubu’s reported plan to remove Shettima is connected to what he described as consequences of ignoring earlier warnings against fielding a same-faith presidential ticket in 2023.
“I warned Tinubu of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, but most people didn’t listen,” Ayodele said.
The cleric cautioned that forcing Shettima out in a hostile manner could trigger political fallout within the APC, claiming the vice president may retaliate if the situation becomes acrimonious.
“If Shettima is removed acrimoniously, he will work against the interest of the party because they are contemplating picking a governor to replace Shettima as vice president,” he added.
Ayodele also warned President Tinubu against selecting any of the governors who recently defected to the APC as a running mate, saying such a move could provoke tension in the North.
“If any of the crossing governors is picked from the north, this will cause aggression in the north,” he said.
Beyond the question of the 2027 ticket, the INRI leader said Tinubu’s government is facing internal challenges, which he described as “nemesis and betrayal,” even as he acknowledged that the president was making efforts in governance.
“Tinubu is working and doing well, but two things are fighting him, which are nemesis and betrayal,” Ayodele stated.
He further claimed that some individuals publicly supporting the president were secretly plotting against him, insisting that money would not be enough to secure loyalty.
“People who are applauding him are looking for his downfall; money can’t buy it at all,” he said.
Ayodele also alleged that some of Tinubu’s aides were restricting access to him, preventing those who could genuinely help the administration from reaching the president.
“Some of his aides are also blocking access to him for those who can actually help him,” he added.
On insecurity, the cleric raised concerns about the role of the United States in Nigeria’s security affairs, warning that external influence could complicate efforts to tackle the country’s security challenges.
According to him, regardless of the security strategy adopted, the Tinubu administration could continue to face setbacks because of what he claimed was opposition from the US.
“On insecurity, no matter the security formation you put together, the US doesn’t like your government, and they know where to puncture this government because they already know the secret of your security,” Ayodele said.