Primate Ayodele urges Tinubu to heed Onaiyekan’s warning, says public anger could shape 2027 poll

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has urged President Bola Tinubu to take seriously the recent remarks by the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, warning that public dissatisfaction could have electoral consequences if current challenges are not addressed.

Speaking during a church service in Lagos, Ayodele said the President should pay close attention to the concerns raised by the senior Catholic cleric rather than dismiss them, describing the comments as a reflection of the prevailing mood across the country.

The cleric commended Onaiyekan for what he described as the courage to speak truth to power, adding that some religious leaders had failed to offer similar advice to the President.

> “This is what I expected all these babas of faith. I don’t want to mention their names because it’s not sounding right before God,” Ayodele said.

He added:

> “I give it to Archbishop Onaiyekan for what he has said to the President. Leave him. If Tinubu likes, let him take it or not, but there is anger and hunger in the land.”

Ayodele maintained that the prevailing economic hardship and public frustration should not be ignored, warning that attempts to influence voters with material incentives would not change the outcome of the 2027 presidential election if those concerns remain unresolved.

According to him, Nigerians would express their grievances through the ballot box, urging the President to focus on governance rather than relying on political aides.

> “By the election, you will see how people will show their grievances. Rice and money will not stop it. We are telling you to do the right thing. All these surrogate aides will push you into a fire that will burn you. Tinubu will lose this election,” he said.

Ayodele’s comments come amid ongoing national debate over the country’s economic situation and follow recent remarks by Cardinal Onaiyekan, who called on the Federal Government to take stronger steps to address the hardship facing many Nigerians.