By Rashidat Olushola Okunlade
In April 2025, the Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, issued a prophetic caution to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to pay closer attention to possible international opposition particularly from the United States rather than domestic political rivals.
At the time, many observers did not fully grasp the weight of his warning. However, recent developments suggest that the cleric’s prophecy may be unfolding as he foretold.
Primate Ayodele had categorically stated that President Tinubu’s major political challenge would not emanate from Nigeria’s opposition parties but from powerful international actors, especially the U.S. government.
In his words:
“The only thing President Tinubu should work on is preventing opposition parties from getting international backing from foreign political actors like the U.S. government. Tinubu needs to work very hard to prevent it; otherwise, his second term is under attack.
In fact, President Tinubu should be more worried about foreign political actors rather than Nigerian opposition parties. The opposition candidates are not serious about taking over power; they are only acting out of selfish interests. They can’t come up with any reasonable coalition that can win the presidency in 2027.”
— Primate Elijah Ayodele (April 2025)
Source: Daily Post, April 18, 2025
The prophet reiterated this warning again in August 2025, emphasizing that the United States was “desperate” to remove Tinubu from power.
“Make sure you sort out the issue of international communities. Like I said, America isn’t your friend. America is desperate to remove you; they will do everything to see you out of power.”
— Primate Elijah Ayodele (August 2025)
Source: Tribune Online
In recent weeks, several top American lawmakers have openly criticized the Tinubu administration over alleged human rights abuses and persecution of Christians—echoing the same international tension Ayodele had warned about.
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz accused Nigerian officials of “ignoring and even facilitating the mass murder of Christians by Islamist jihadists,” calling for sanctions through his Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act.
Similarly, U.S. politician Riley Moore described Nigeria as “the deadliest country in the world for Christians,” urging that the nation be designated as a Country of Particular Concern by the U.S. Department of State. Moore also alleged that “officials at both state and federal levels are often hostile to Christians,” citing cases of forced conversions, closure of Christian orphanages, and anti-blasphemy prosecutions.
These comments have sparked diplomatic unease, prompting reactions from some Nigerian presidential aides who have begun responding to the allegations.
While many view these unfolding events as ordinary political developments, others see them as a clear manifestation of Primate Ayodele’s earlier prophecies.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, observers note that the presidency may now have to pay closer attention to the cleric’s warnings—either to heed the caution or risk further escalation of foreign political pressure.
