2027: Atiku Will Secure 25% in South-West, South-East, Tinubu Must Beware of Political Allies — Primate Ayodele
Primate Elijah Ayodele predicts Atiku Abubakar will secure at least 25% of votes in the South-West and South-East in the 2027 presidential election, while warning President Bola Tinubu against political miscalculations and raising concerns over Nigeria’s security situation.
The Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, has predicted that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will secure at least 25 per cent of the votes in both the South-West and South-East during the 2027 presidential election, while cautioning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against placing excessive trust in members of his political circle.
Ayodele made the remarks on Friday in Lagos during the public presentation of the 2026/2027 edition of Warnings to the Nations, his annual publication containing prophecies and forecasts on Nigeria, governments, institutions and prominent personalities.
The cleric said the 2027 presidential contest would largely be a two-horse race between President Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, with the North expected to play the decisive role in determining the eventual winner.
According to him, Atiku is likely to enjoy substantial support across Northern Nigeria through the backing of traditional rulers, elder statesmen and influential international interests.
He further predicted that both Atiku and Tinubu would each secure at least 25 per cent of the votes in the South-West and South-East, adding that Kano State would emerge as one of the most fiercely contested battlegrounds in the election.
Ayodele also projected that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, would face significant electoral challenges in Kano State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. He said he did not foresee Obi obtaining the constitutionally required 25 per cent of votes in the FCT.
The cleric warned President Tinubu against relying too heavily on some of his political associates, arguing that internal political miscalculations could weaken the President’s prospects of securing a second term despite possible policy adjustments before the elections.
According to him, many Nigerians remain dissatisfied with the current administration, and the actions of those around the President could significantly influence the outcome of the 2027 polls if not properly managed.
Ayodele also predicted divisions within the Arewa Consultative Forum over Tinubu’s re-election bid, saying differing political interests within the northern political establishment could shape the electoral landscape.
Beyond politics, the cleric expressed concern over Nigeria’s security situation, calling on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to protect lives and property.
He criticised the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, while individuals linked to terrorism have reportedly benefited from rehabilitation and amnesty programmes. According to him, addressing perceived injustice is critical to promoting national peace and unity.
Ayodele also urged the government to prioritise the rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers, insisting that the authorities possess the capacity to secure their release through decisive action.
He further predicted intensified military offensives against Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other armed groups, while warning that such operations could provoke retaliatory attacks by insurgents.
The cleric also cautioned Nigerians to pray against increased kidnappings, attacks on motor parks, shootings, threats against civil society activists and the abduction of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite the security concerns, Ayodele expressed optimism that the Nigerian Armed Forces would record major successes against insurgent groups and eventually eliminate the leader of a notorious terrorist organisation.